Watson, MO frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Watson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watson falls between April 10 and May 6, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 169-day growing season is among the shortest of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 7 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 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bellevue, NE, 79 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Watson, MO
Watson, MO frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watson, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Auburn 5 Ese, NE weather station, 16 km away (elevation 932 ft (284 m)).
Frost dates near Watson
- Rock Port Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Tarkio Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Fairfax Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Westboro Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Elmo Apr 19 · Oct 15
- Craig Apr 18 · Oct 14
- Burlington Junction Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Skidmore Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Mound City Apr 16 · Oct 20
- Clearmont Apr 25 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watson, MO?
The median last spring frost in Watson, MO is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Watson, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Watson, MO?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watson, MO?
Watson, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.