Joplin, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 9median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season201 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Joplin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Joplin falls between March 24 and April 26, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 201-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 87 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rogers, AR, 90 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Joplin, MO
Joplin, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 9, first frost Oct 27, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 14
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Joplin, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 12 – Apr 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 16 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 16 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Joplin Regional Airport, MO weather station, 8 km away (elevation 981 ft (299 m)).
ZIP codes in Joplin: 64801 64802 64803 64804
Frost dates near Joplin
- Saginaw Apr 18 · Oct 22
- Webb City Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Duenweg Apr 18 · Oct 22
- Carterville Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Carl Junction Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Diamond Apr 18 · Oct 22
- Purcell Apr 9 · Oct 27
- Alba Apr 4 · Oct 27
- Racine Apr 7 · Oct 31
- Carthage Apr 4 · Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Joplin, MO?
The median last spring frost in Joplin, MO is April 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Joplin, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Joplin, MO?
About 201 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Joplin, MO?
Joplin, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.