Frost Dates for Kansas City, MO 64118
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 16 · 185 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 64118 has about 42,000 people, the largest of 50 ZIP codes in Kansas City.
Long season: 185 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 27 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 29–November 1 (33 days).
Frost probability for 64118
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 27 | April 14 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 29 | October 16 | November 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LEAVENWORTH (32.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Kansas City, MO
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64118 | April 14 | October 16 | 6b |
| 64133 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64119 | April 14 | October 13 | 6b |
| 64152 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64155 | April 14 | October 16 | 6b |
| 64151 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64114 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64138 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64157 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 64134 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64131 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64130 | April 9 | October 27 | 7a |
| 64116 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64127 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64111 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64110 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64117 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64154 | April 14 | October 16 | 6b |
| 64113 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64132 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64128 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64123 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64106 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64124 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64108 | April 9 | October 27 | 7a |
| 64109 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64137 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64129 | April 9 | October 27 | 7a |
| 64112 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64156 | April 14 | October 16 | 6a |
| 64158 | April 14 | October 13 | 6b |
| 64126 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64153 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64105 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64145 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64139 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64125 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64136 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64146 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64163 | April 14 | October 16 | 6b |
| 64120 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64147 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64149 | April 9 | October 27 | 6b |
| 64161 | April 14 | October 13 | 6b |
| 64166 | April 14 | October 16 | 6a |
| 64167 | April 14 | October 16 | 6a |
| 64165 | April 14 | October 16 | 6a |
| 64164 | April 14 | October 16 | 6b |
| 64101 | April 9 | October 27 | 7a |
| 64102 | April 9 | October 27 | 7a |
Which crops fit a 185-day season in Kansas City
In Kansas City (185 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 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 28. | Jun 16 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 28. | Jun 21 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 24. | Aug 14 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 248 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 17. | Aug 5 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 17. | Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 17. | Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Oct 23. | Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 16 | 290 | overwinter: Plant Oct 16 to Nov 6; harvest the following summer. | Nov 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 241 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jun 28 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 28. | Jun 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 7. | Jul 26 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 17. | Jul 15 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 28. | Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 28. | Jun 26 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 21. | Jul 31 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 185 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 21. | Jun 11 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 6. | Sep 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 29 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 25 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Nov 6. | Aug 24 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 28. | Jun 11 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 28. | Jun 11 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 164 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | Jul 15 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 28. | Jun 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jul 10 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 21. | Jun 21 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 21. | Jun 16 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
Month by month in Kansas City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 20), Lavender (Jan 20), Onion (Jan 20), Rosemary (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Oregano (Feb 3), Parsley (Feb 3), Scallions (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 17), Beets (Feb 17), Dill (Feb 17), Peas (Feb 17), Radish (Feb 17), Spinach (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 3), Cauliflower (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), Basil (Mar 10), Tomato (Mar 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 3), Cilantro (Mar 17), Turnip (Mar 17), Carrots (Mar 24), Potatoes (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 17), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 17), Cabbage (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), Kale (Mar 17), Lettuce (Mar 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 10). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 14), Beans (Apr 21), Pole Beans (Apr 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 14), Lavender (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Mint (Apr 14), +24 more. Last frost around April 14. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 5). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Pumpkin (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 11), Celery (Jun 11), Melons (Jun 11), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 13), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 15), Pole Beans (Jul 15), Basil (Jul 20), Cosmos (Jul 20), Cucumber (Jul 20), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 5), Cabbage (Aug 14), Carrots (Aug 14), Beets (Aug 15), Dill (Aug 15), Swiss Chard (Aug 15), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 3), Arugula (Sep 13), Spinach (Sep 13), Radish (Sep 14). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 16). First frost around October 16. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 6). |
| 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 64118)?
The median last spring frost date for Kansas City, MO (ZIP code 64118) is around April 14. 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 31; one in ten it runs past April 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Kansas City, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Kansas City, MO is around October 16. 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 29 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 185 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 (185 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 10 and plant out Apr 28 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 17 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 23.
When do I plant garlic in Kansas City?
Oct 16 to Nov 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Kansas City?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 16 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Kansas City (ZIP 64151) has 201 frost-free days, 16 more than Kansas City (ZIP 64118). See Kansas City ZIP 64151 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Kansas City, MO: month-by-month guide
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