Frost Dates for Jefferson City, MO 65101
Jefferson City has 2 ZIP codes. The Jefferson City, MO frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 18 · 188 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 65101 has about 28,800 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Jefferson City.
Long season: 188 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 28 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–November 5 (35 days).
Frost probability for 65101
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 13 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 18 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JEFFERSON CITY WTP (10.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 188-day season in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City (188 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 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 23. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 251 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 16. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 223 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 16. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 293 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 244 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 20. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 16. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 20. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 188 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 20. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 167 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 20. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 13. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 20. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 20. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Jefferson City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO (ZIP 65101)?
The median last spring frost date for Jefferson City, MO (ZIP code 65101) is around April 13. 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 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Jefferson City, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Jefferson City, 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Jefferson City, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Jefferson City is about 188 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 Jefferson City (188 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 Jefferson City, MO?
Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Jefferson City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jefferson City?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Jefferson City?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Jefferson City?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 18 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Eldon (ZIP 65026) has 197 frost-free days, 9 more than Jefferson City (ZIP 65101). See Eldon ZIP 65026 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Jefferson City, MO 65109 (8.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Holts Summit, MO 65043 (9.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Eldon, MO 65026 (25.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Fulton, MO 65251 (26.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbia, MO 65203 (30.9 mi)
- 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