Mercer, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Mercer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mercer falls between April 11 and May 8, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with West Des Moines, IA, 119 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Mercer, MO
Mercer, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 15, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mercer, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| 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 Princeton, MO weather station, 14 km away (elevation 981 ft (299 m)).
Frost dates near Mercer
- Princeton Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Powersville Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Cainsville Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Lucerne Apr 17 · Oct 22
- Newtown Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Harris Apr 25 · Oct 15
- Spickard Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Blythedale Apr 17 · Oct 21
- Ridgeway Apr 16 · Oct 22
- Eagleville Apr 17 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mercer, MO?
The median last spring frost in Mercer, MO is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mercer, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Mercer, MO?
About 173 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mercer, MO?
Mercer, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.