Fairfax, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Fairfax compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fairfax falls between April 6 and May 4, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 8% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 12 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 138 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Joseph, MO, 79 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Fairfax, MO
Fairfax, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 15, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fairfax, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Tarkio, MO weather station, 12 km away (elevation 1,047 ft (319 m)).
Frost dates near Fairfax
- Tarkio Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Rock Port Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Craig Apr 18 · Oct 14
- Westboro Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Skidmore Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Mound City Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Watson Apr 24 · Oct 10
- Maitland Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Burlington Junction Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Elmo Apr 19 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fairfax, MO?
The median last spring frost in Fairfax, MO is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fairfax, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Fairfax, MO?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fairfax, MO?
Fairfax, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.