Frost Dates for Springfield, MO 65809
Last spring frost April 15 · First fall frost October 21 · 189 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 65809 has about 11,400 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Springfield.
Long season: 189 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 29 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 2–November 7 (36 days).
Frost probability for 65809
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 15 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 2 | October 21 | November 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SPRINGFIELD WSO AP (19.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 189-day season in Springfield
In Springfield (189 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 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 25. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 18–Apr 29 | 252 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 18. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 224 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18–Apr 8 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 18. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 18. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 294 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 11–May 6 | 245 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 22. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 8. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 18. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 11 | May 6–May 6 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 18–Apr 8 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 22. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 4 | Apr 22–May 6 | 189 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 22. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Sage | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 21 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 210 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 168 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 22. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 22. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 22. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Springfield
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 21), Lavender (Jan 21), Onion (Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Oregano (Feb 4), Parsley (Feb 4), Scallions (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 18), Beets (Feb 18), Dill (Feb 18), Peas (Feb 18), Radish (Feb 18), Spinach (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), Basil (Mar 11), Tomato (Mar 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 4), Cilantro (Mar 18), Turnip (Mar 18), Carrots (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 18), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 18), Cabbage (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), Kale (Mar 18), Lettuce (Mar 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 11). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pumpkin (Apr 1), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 1), Watermelon (Apr 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 1), Sunflowers (Apr 15), Beans (Apr 22), Pole Beans (Apr 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 15), Lavender (Apr 15), +26 more. Last frost around April 15. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 6). |
| 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 Springfield, MO (ZIP 65809)?
The median last spring frost date for Springfield, MO (ZIP code 65809) is around April 15. 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 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Springfield, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Springfield, 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Springfield, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Springfield is about 189 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 Springfield (189 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 Springfield, MO?
Springfield, 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 Springfield, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 11 and plant out Apr 29 in Springfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Springfield?
Two: plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Springfield?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Springfield?
Yes: plant out Apr 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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