Frost dates for 63702 — Cape Girardeau, MO
Last spring frostApr 7median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season205 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cape Girardeau compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cape Girardeau falls between March 24 and April 22, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 205-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 938 Missouri places with a regular frost season (state median 195 days).
- The last frost is 9 days earlier than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a 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 24 |
| 50% (median) | April 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Cape Girardeau, MO
Frost dates for 63702 — Cape Girardeau, MO — last frost Apr 7, first frost Oct 29, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 12
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cape Girardeau, MO
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 10 – Apr 14 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Basil | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 3 – Apr 14 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Jackson, MO weather station, 14 km away (elevation 440 ft (134 m)).
ZIP codes in Cape Girardeau: 63701 63702 63703
Frost dates near Cape Girardeau
- Jackson Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Scott City Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Gordonville Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Kelso Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Pocahontas Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Dutchtown Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Commerce Apr 5 · Oct 25
- Chaffee Apr 5 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cape Girardeau, MO?
The median last spring frost in Cape Girardeau, MO is April 7. 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 Cape Girardeau, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Cape Girardeau, MO?
About 205 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cape Girardeau, MO?
Cape Girardeau, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.