Frost Dates for Washington, MO 63090
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost October 13 · 179 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 63090 has about 23,300 people.
Moderate season: 179 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–May 3 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 31 (35 days).
Frost probability for 63090
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 17 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 13 | October 31 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WELDON SPRING NWS (37.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 179-day season in Washington
In Washington (179 frost-free days, a moderate 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 13 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 27. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 242 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 242 available after Feb 20. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 20. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 20. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 284 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 235 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 10. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 20. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 24. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 179 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 24. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 137 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 137 available after May 1. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 158 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 17. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 24. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 24. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Washington
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Washington, MO (ZIP 63090)?
The median last spring frost date for Washington, MO (ZIP code 63090) is around April 17. 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 April 1; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Washington, MO?
The median first fall frost date for Washington, MO is around October 13. 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 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Washington, MO?
The frost-free growing season in Washington is about 179 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 Washington (179 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Washington, MO?
Washington, 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 Washington, MO?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in Washington. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Washington?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Washington?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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