Cairo, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season195 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Cairo compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cairo falls between March 31 and April 27, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 195-day growing season is longer than 48% 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 102 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, MO, 62 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Cairo, MO
Cairo, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 25, 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 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
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: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
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: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cairo, 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 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| 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 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| 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 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Moberly, MO weather station, 10 km away (elevation 860 ft (262 m)).
Frost dates near Cairo
- Jacksonville Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Moberly Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Huntsville Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Excello Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Madison Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Renick Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Clifton Hill Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Higbee Apr 13 · Oct 25
- Macon Apr 8 · Oct 28
- Holliday Apr 21 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cairo, MO?
The median last spring frost in Cairo, MO is April 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cairo, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Cairo, MO?
About 195 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cairo, MO?
Cairo, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.