Frost Dates for Kansas City, MO 64116
Kansas City has 50 ZIP codes. The Kansas City, MO frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 9 · First fall frost October 27 · 201 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 64116 has about 18,000 people, one of 50 ZIP codes in Kansas City.
Long season: 201 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 28–April 21 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans October 14–November 9 (26 days).
Frost probability for 64116
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | April 9 | March 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 14 | October 27 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OLATHE 3E (33.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 201-day season in Kansas City
In Kansas City (201 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 5 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 23. | Jun 27 |
| Pepper | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 23. | Jul 2 |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 19. | Aug 25 |
| Cucumber | Mar 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Peas | — | Feb 12–Apr 23 | 264 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 12. | Aug 16 |
| Zucchini | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Onion | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 12–Apr 2 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Kale | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 12. | Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 12. | Aug 25 |
| Radish | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 27 | 306 | overwinter: Plant Oct 27 to Nov 17; harvest the following summer. | Nov 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 5–Apr 30 | 257 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jul 9 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jun 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 2. | Aug 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Mar 26 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 12. | Jul 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 23. | Jul 7 |
| Okra | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Basil | Mar 5 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 12–Apr 2 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Parsley | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 16. | Aug 11 |
| Celery | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 201 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 16. | Jun 22 |
| Scallions | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Collards | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 23. | Jun 22 |
| Chives | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 12–May 7 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Oregano | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 15 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Sage | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 29 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cosmos | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Lavender | Jan 15 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Melons | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 23. | Jun 22 |
| Mint | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 16. | Jul 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 23. | Jun 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 9. | Jul 21 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jul 2 |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jun 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Zinnias | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
Month by month in Kansas City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 15), Lavender (Jan 15), Onion (Jan 15), Rosemary (Jan 15), Celery (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 12), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 12), Cabbage (Feb 12), Lettuce (Feb 12), Sage (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 12), Beets (Feb 12), Dill (Feb 12), Peas (Feb 12), Radish (Feb 12), Spinach (Feb 12), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 5), Tomato (Mar 5), Bok Choy (Mar 12), Corn (Mar 12), Cosmos (Mar 12), Nasturtiums (Mar 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 12), Turnip (Mar 12), Carrots (Mar 19), Potatoes (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Collards (Mar 12), Kale (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 5). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 9), Beans (Apr 16), Pole Beans (Apr 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 9), Lavender (Apr 9), Marigolds (Apr 9), Mint (Apr 9), +25 more. Last frost around April 9. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 14), Pumpkin (Jun 14), Cantaloupe (Jun 22), Celery (Jun 22), Melons (Jun 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 24), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 2), Tomatillos (Jul 2), Eggplant (Jul 7), Corn (Jul 9), Sunflowers (Jul 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 26), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Aug 1), Nasturtiums (Aug 5), Okra (Aug 5), Yellow Squash (Aug 5), Zucchini (Aug 5), Cauliflower (Aug 6), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 4), Scallions (Sep 4), Bok Choy (Sep 5), Lettuce (Sep 5), Kale (Sep 9), Kohlrabi (Sep 9), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 27). First frost around October 27. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 17). |
| 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 Kansas City, MO (ZIP 64116)?
The median last spring frost date for Kansas City, MO (ZIP code 64116) is around April 9. 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 28; one in ten it runs past April 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Kansas City, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Kansas City, MO is around October 27. 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kansas City, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Kansas City is about 201 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 Kansas City (201 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 Kansas City, MO?
Kansas 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 Kansas City, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 5 and plant out Apr 23 in Kansas 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 Kansas City?
Two: plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3.
When do I plant garlic in Kansas City?
Oct 27 to Nov 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Kansas City?
Yes: plant out Apr 23 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 27 for a fall crop.
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