Frost Dates for Sikeston, MO 63801
Last spring frost April 2 · First fall frost October 27 · 208 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 63801 has about 22,000 people.
Long season: 208 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 19–April 19 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 9–November 14 (36 days).
Frost probability for 63801
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 19 | April 2 | March 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 9 | October 27 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SIKESTON PWR STN (2.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 208-day season in Sikeston
In Sikeston (208 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 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jun 27 |
| Pepper | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jul 2 |
| Lettuce | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 12. | Aug 25 |
| Cucumber | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Peas | — | Feb 5–Apr 16 | 271 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 5. | Aug 16 |
| Zucchini | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Onion | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 5–Mar 26 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Kale | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 5. | Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 5. | Aug 25 |
| Radish | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 27 | 313 | overwinter: Plant Oct 27 to Nov 17; harvest the following summer. | Nov 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 26–Apr 23 | 264 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 9. | Jul 9 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jun 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 26. | Aug 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 5 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 5. | Jul 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jul 7 |
| Okra | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Basil | Feb 26 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 5–Mar 26 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Parsley | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 9. | Aug 11 |
| Celery | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 208 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 9. | Jun 22 |
| Scallions | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 5 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Collards | Jan 22 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jun 22 |
| Chives | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 5–Apr 30 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Oregano | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 8 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 208 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Sage | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 222 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 22 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 19 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cosmos | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Lavender | Jan 8 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Melons | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 166 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 16. | Jun 22 |
| Mint | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 229 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 229 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 187 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 9. | Jul 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 16. | Jun 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 2. | Jul 21 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 9. | Jul 2 |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 9. | Jun 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Zinnias | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
Month by month in Sikeston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 8), Lavender (Jan 8), Onion (Jan 8), Rosemary (Jan 8), Celery (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 5), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 5), Cabbage (Feb 5), Lettuce (Feb 5), Sage (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 5), Beets (Feb 5), Dill (Feb 5), Peas (Feb 5), Radish (Feb 5), Spinach (Feb 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Cosmos (Mar 5), Nasturtiums (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Zinnias (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 5), Turnip (Mar 5), Carrots (Mar 12), Potatoes (Mar 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 2), Beans (Apr 9), Pole Beans (Apr 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 2), Lavender (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Mint (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +23 more. Last frost around April 2. |
| 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 Sikeston, MO (ZIP 63801)?
The median last spring frost date for Sikeston, MO (ZIP code 63801) is around April 2. 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 19; one in ten it runs past April 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Sikeston, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Sikeston, 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sikeston, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Sikeston is about 208 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 Sikeston (208 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 Sikeston, MO?
Sikeston, 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 Sikeston, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 26 and plant out Apr 16 in Sikeston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sikeston?
Two: plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3.
When do I plant garlic in Sikeston?
Oct 27 to Nov 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Sikeston?
Yes: plant out Apr 16 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 27 for a fall crop.
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