Lexington, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 8median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season200 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lexington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lexington falls between March 24 and April 26, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 200-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 21 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 118 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Blue Springs, MO, 40 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Lexington, MO
Lexington, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 8, first frost Oct 25, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 13
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lexington, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 11 – Apr 15 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Basil | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 15 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — | — |
| 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 Lexington 3e, MO weather station, 2 km away (elevation 827 ft (252 m)).
Frost dates near Lexington
- Henrietta Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Wellington Apr 8 · Oct 25
- Camden Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Mayview Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Richmond Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Dover Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Higginsville Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Napoleon Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Hardin Apr 19 · Oct 18
- Corder Apr 10 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lexington, MO?
The median last spring frost in Lexington, MO is April 8. 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 Lexington, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Lexington, MO?
About 200 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lexington, MO?
Lexington, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.