Clinton, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season187 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Clinton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clinton falls between March 31 and May 2, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 187-day growing season is longer than 22% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 117 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Blue Springs, MO, 81 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Clinton, MO
Clinton, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clinton, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Clinton, MO weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 771 ft (235 m)).
Frost dates near Clinton
- Calhoun Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Urich Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Deepwater Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Blairstown Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Leeton Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Montrose Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Chilhowee Apr 14 · Oct 21
- Windsor Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Creighton Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Lowry City Apr 16 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clinton, MO?
The median last spring frost in Clinton, MO is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clinton, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Clinton, MO?
About 187 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clinton, MO?
Clinton, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.