Frost Dates for Dexter, MO 63841
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost October 29 · 209 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 63841 has about 13,200 people.
Long season: 209 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 21–April 16 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 14 (32 days).
Frost probability for 63841
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | April 3 | March 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | October 29 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WAPPAPELLO DAM (31.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 209-day season in Dexter
In Dexter (209 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 | Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jun 29 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jul 4 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 251 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 251 available after Mar 13. | Aug 27 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 272 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 272 available after Feb 6. | Aug 18 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 244 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 244 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 244 available after Mar 6. | Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 6. | Aug 27 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 27 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 29 | 314 | overwinter: Plant Oct 29 to Nov 19; harvest the following summer. | Nov 19 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 265 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 10. | Jul 11 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 17. | Jun 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 223 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 27. | Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 286 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 26 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 258 available after Mar 6. | Jul 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 17. | Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jul 9 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 10. | Aug 13 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 209 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 10. | Jun 24 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 7 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 258 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jun 24 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 272 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 209 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 223 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 223 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 223 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 167 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 17. | Jun 24 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 230 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 230 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 188 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 10. | Jul 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 17. | Jun 26 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 3. | Jul 23 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 10. | Jul 4 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 10. | Jun 29 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
Month by month in Dexter
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 9), Lavender (Jan 9), Onion (Jan 9), Rosemary (Jan 9), Celery (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 6), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 6), Cabbage (Feb 6), Lettuce (Feb 6), Sage (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 6), Beets (Feb 6), Dill (Feb 6), Peas (Feb 6), Radish (Feb 6), Spinach (Feb 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 6), Nasturtiums (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Zinnias (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 6), Turnip (Mar 6), Carrots (Mar 13), Potatoes (Mar 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 3), Beans (Apr 10), Pole Beans (Apr 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 3), Lavender (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Mint (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +23 more. Last frost around April 3. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 16), Pumpkin (Jun 16), Cantaloupe (Jun 24), Celery (Jun 24), Melons (Jun 24), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 26), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 4), Tomatillos (Jul 4), Eggplant (Jul 9), Corn (Jul 11), Sunflowers (Jul 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 28), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 2), Cosmos (Aug 2), Cucumber (Aug 2), Zinnias (Aug 2), Broccoli (Aug 3), Nasturtiums (Aug 7), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 2), Cilantro (Sep 2), Collards (Sep 6), Scallions (Sep 6), Bok Choy (Sep 7), Lettuce (Sep 7), +6 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 29). First frost around October 29. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 19). |
| 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 Dexter, MO (ZIP 63841)?
The median last spring frost date for Dexter, MO (ZIP code 63841) is around April 3. 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 21; one in ten it runs past April 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Dexter, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Dexter, MO is around October 29. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Dexter, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Dexter is about 209 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 Dexter (209 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 Dexter, MO?
Dexter, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Dexter, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17 in Dexter. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Dexter?
Two: plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 5.
When do I plant garlic in Dexter?
Oct 29 to Nov 19; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Dexter?
Yes: plant out Apr 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 29 for a fall crop.
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