Frost Dates for Columbia, MO 65201
Columbia has 5 ZIP codes. The Columbia, MO frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost October 18 · 190 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 65201 has about 50,000 people, one of 5 ZIP codes in Columbia.
Long season: 190 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 22 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 5 (33 days).
Frost probability for 65201
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 11 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 18 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FULTON (26.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 190-day season in Columbia
In Columbia (190 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 25. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 25. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 21. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 253 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 14. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 225 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 14. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 14. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 295 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 246 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 18. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 25. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 4. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 14. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 155 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 25. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 25. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 190 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 25. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 148 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 25. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 169 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 18. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 155 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 18. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 18. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Columbia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 17), Lavender (Jan 17), Onion (Jan 17), Rosemary (Jan 17), Celery (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 14), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 14), Cabbage (Feb 14), Lettuce (Feb 14), Sage (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 14), Beets (Feb 14), Dill (Feb 14), Peas (Feb 14), Radish (Feb 14), Spinach (Feb 14), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 7), Tomato (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Corn (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 14), Nasturtiums (Mar 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 14), Turnip (Mar 14), Carrots (Mar 21), Potatoes (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 7). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 11), Beans (Apr 18), Pole Beans (Apr 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 11), Lavender (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Mint (Apr 11), +24 more. Last frost around April 11. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 2). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Columbia, MO (ZIP 65201)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbia, MO (ZIP code 65201) is around April 11. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 30; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbia, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Columbia, MO is around October 18. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Columbia is about 190 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Columbia (190 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Columbia, MO?
Columbia, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Columbia, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Columbia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Columbia?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Columbia?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Columbia?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 18 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Columbia, MO 65203 (8.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbia, MO 65202 (8.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fulton, MO 65251 (14.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Holts Summit, MO 65043 (20 mi)
- Frost dates for Jefferson City, MO 65109 (22.3 mi)
- When to plant in Columbia, MO: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in MO
- When to plant Peppers in MO
- When to plant Cucumbers in MO
- When to plant Zucchini in MO
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MO
- When to plant Basil in MO
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MO
- Look up another ZIP