Frost dates for 65753Sparta, MO
The average last spring frost in Sparta is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 22 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sparta
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65753 is matched to the NOAA station Oldfield, MO, 7.3 km away, at 1,240 ft elevation (105 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oldfield, MO (used) | 1,240 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Ozark, MO | 1,134 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Ava 12Sw, MO | 1,197 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Springfield Wbo, MO | 1,325 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Sparta
- Chadwick, MO 65629 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Ozark, MO 65721 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Bruner, MO 65620 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Oldfield, MO 65720 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Lead Hill, MO 72643 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Highlandville, MO 65669 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Rogersville, MO 65742 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Garrison, MO 65657 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sparta, MO?
- For ZIP code 65753, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oldfield, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Sparta, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65753?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.