Richards, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season206 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Richards compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richards falls between March 21 and April 22, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 206-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 17 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 101 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Joplin, MO, 92 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 21 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Richards, MO
Richards, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 28, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richards, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Ft Scott, KS weather station, 16 km away (elevation 883 ft (269 m)).
Frost dates near Richards
- Deerfield Apr 5 · Oct 28
- Metz Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Nevada Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Moundville Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Hume Apr 15 · Oct 22
- Bronaugh Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Rich Hill Apr 12 · Oct 23
- Milo Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Walker Apr 7 · Oct 27
- Foster Apr 12 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richards, MO?
The median last spring frost in Richards, MO is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Richards, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Richards, MO?
About 206 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richards, MO?
Richards, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.