Frost dates for 65712Mount Vernon, MO
The average last spring frost in Mount Vernon is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 10 · Apr 27 · May 10 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mount Vernon
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65712 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Vernon Univ Mo - Sw Ctr, MO, 8 km away, at 1,190 ft elevation (67 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Vernon Univ Mo - Sw Ctr, MO (used) | 1,190 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Billings 1Sw, MO | 1,310 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Ash Grove 4S, MO | 1,129 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 24 |
| Monett 4Sw, MO | 1,420 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Mount Vernon
- Freistatt, MO 65654 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Miller, MO 65707 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Stotts City, MO 65756 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Aurora, MO 65605 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Marionville, MO 65705 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Halltown, MO 65664 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Verona, MO 65769 · last Apr 9, first Oct 26
- La Russell, MO 64848 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mount Vernon, MO?
- For ZIP code 65712, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Vernon Univ Mo - Sw Ctr, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Mount Vernon, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65712?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.