Frost Dates for Jefferson City, MO 65109
Last spring frost April 10 · First fall frost October 21 · 194 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 65109 has about 41,100 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Jefferson City.
Long season: 194 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 21 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 6 (32 days).
Frost probability for 65109
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | April 10 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 21 | November 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLUMBIA - SNOW (27.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Jefferson City, MO
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65109 | April 10 | October 21 | 6b |
| 65101 | April 13 | October 18 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 194-day season in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City (194 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 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 20. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 13–Apr 24 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 13. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 229 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13–Apr 3 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 13. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 13. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 299 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 6–May 1 | 250 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 17. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 3. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 13. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | May 1–May 1 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 13–Apr 3 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 17. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Jan 30 | Apr 17–May 1 | 194 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 17. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Sage | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 208 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 208 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 16 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 152 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 24. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 173 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 17. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 159 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 24. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 10. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 17. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 17. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Jefferson City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 16), Lavender (Jan 16), Onion (Jan 16), Rosemary (Jan 16), Celery (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), Sage (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 13), Beets (Feb 13), Dill (Feb 13), Peas (Feb 13), Radish (Feb 13), Spinach (Feb 13), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 6), Tomato (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Corn (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 13), Nasturtiums (Mar 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 13), Turnip (Mar 13), Carrots (Mar 20), Potatoes (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 6). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 10), Beans (Apr 17), Pole Beans (Apr 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Mint (Apr 10), +24 more. Last frost around April 10. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 1). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 65109)?
The median last spring frost date for Jefferson City, MO (ZIP code 65109) is around April 10. 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 29; one in ten it runs past April 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Jefferson City, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Jefferson City, MO is around October 21. 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 5 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 194 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 (194 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 6 and plant out Apr 24 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 13 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Jefferson City?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Jefferson City?
Yes: plant out Apr 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
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