Bowling Green, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bowling Green compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bowling Green falls between March 30 and May 1, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 16 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 117 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with O Fallon, MO, 73 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bowling Green, MO
Bowling Green, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 23, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bowling Green, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bowling Green 1 E, MO weather station, 2 km away (elevation 896 ft (273 m)).
Frost dates near Bowling Green
- Curryville Apr 11 · Oct 23
- Louisiana Apr 13 · Oct 23
- Eolia Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Frankford Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Clarksville Apr 4 · Nov 1
- Whiteside Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Ashburn Apr 4 · Nov 4
- Vandalia Apr 11 · Oct 23
- Silex Apr 20 · Oct 20
- Olney Apr 14 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bowling Green, MO?
The median last spring frost in Bowling Green, MO is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bowling Green, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Bowling Green, MO?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bowling Green, MO?
Bowling Green, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.