Frost Dates for De Soto, MO 63020
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost October 11 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 63020 has about 20,200 people.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–May 2 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 24 (26 days).
Frost probability for 63020
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 2 | April 17 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 11 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FESTUS (20.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in De Soto
In De Soto (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 13 | May 1–May 8 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 1. | Jun 11 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 1. | Jun 16 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 27. | Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 20. | Jul 31 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 20. | Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 20. | Aug 9 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Oct 18. | Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 11 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 11 to Nov 1; harvest the following summer. | Nov 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 24. | Jun 23 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 1. | May 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 10. | Jul 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 1. | Sep 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 20. | Jul 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 1. | May 29 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 1. | Jun 21 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 24. | Jul 26 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 24. | Jun 6 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 20 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 1. | Jun 6 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 1. | Jun 6 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 24. | Jul 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 17. | Jul 5 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 24. | Jun 16 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 24. | Jun 11 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
Month by month in De Soto
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 29), Pumpkin (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 6), Celery (Jun 6), Melons (Jun 6), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 8), Tomato (Jun 11), Watermelon (Jun 11), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 5), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 10), Pole Beans (Jul 10), Basil (Jul 15), Cosmos (Jul 15), Cucumber (Jul 15), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 9), Carrots (Aug 9), Beets (Aug 10), Dill (Aug 10), Swiss Chard (Aug 10), Calendula (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 8), Spinach (Sep 8), Radish (Sep 9). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 11). First frost around October 11. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 1). |
| 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 De Soto, MO (ZIP 63020)?
The median last spring frost date for De Soto, MO (ZIP code 63020) is around April 17. 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 April 1; one in ten it runs past May 2.
What is the first fall frost date in De Soto, MO?
The median first fall frost date for De Soto, MO is around October 11. 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 September 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in De Soto, MO?
The frost-free growing season in De Soto is about 177 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 De Soto (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is De Soto, MO?
De Soto, 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 De Soto, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in De Soto. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in De Soto?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 18.
When do I plant garlic in De Soto?
Oct 11 to Nov 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Barnhart (ZIP 63012) has 186 frost-free days, 9 more than De Soto (ZIP 63020). See Barnhart ZIP 63012 frost dates
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