Salem, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between March 31 and May 5, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 184-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 91 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Salem, MO
Salem, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 18, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Salem, MO weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,204 ft (367 m)).
Frost dates near Salem
- Jadwin Apr 17 · Oct 18
- Lenox Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Lake Spring Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Cook Sta Apr 17 · Oct 18
- Boss Apr 17 · Oct 18
- Wesco Apr 26 · Oct 8
- Licking Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Cherryville Apr 26 · Oct 8
- Bunker Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Beulah Apr 20 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, MO?
The median last spring frost in Salem, MO is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Salem, MO?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, MO?
Salem, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.