Frost dates for 65622Buffalo, MO
The average last spring frost in Buffalo is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 18 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 29 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Buffalo
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65622 is matched to the NOAA station Buffalo 2N, MO, 3 km away, at 1,071 ft elevation (120 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo 2N, MO (used) | 1,071 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Bolivar 1 Ne, MO | 987 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
| Lebanon 2W, MO | 1,246 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| Pomme De Terre Dam, MO | 907 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Buffalo
- Louisburg, MO 65685 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Half Way, MO 65663 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Long Lane, MO 65590 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Windyville, MO 65783 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Polk, MO 65727 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Tunas, MO 65764 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Urbana, MO 65767 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Elkland, MO 65644 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buffalo, MO?
- For ZIP code 65622, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Buffalo 2N, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Buffalo, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65622?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.