Frost dates for 65781Willard, MO
The average last spring frost in Willard is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 4 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 9 · Apr 27 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Willard
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 65781 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield, MO, 7.1 km away, at 1,278 ft elevation (80 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO (used) | 1,278 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Ash Grove 4S, MO | 1,129 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 24 |
| Springfield Wbo, MO | 1,325 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 27 |
| Billings 1Sw, MO | 1,310 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Willard
- Springfield, MO 65801 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Walnut Grove, MO 65770 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Bois D Arc, MO 65612 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Ash Grove, MO 65604 · last Apr 11, first Oct 24
- Brookline, MO 65619 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Morrisville, MO 65710 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Republic, MO 65738 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Brighton, MO 65617 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Willard, MO?
- For ZIP code 65781, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Willard, MO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 65781?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.