Frost dates for 65217 — Columbia, MO
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season209 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between March 19 and April 21, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Missouri median of Apr 12.
- Its 209-day growing season is longer than 89% 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 93 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
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 Columbia, MO
Frost dates for 65217 — Columbia, MO — last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 31, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
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 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
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 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbia, 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 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| 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 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| 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 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Columbia U Of M, MO weather station, 2 km away (elevation 771 ft (235 m)).
ZIP codes in Columbia: 65201 65202 65203 65205 65211 65212 65215 65216 65217 65218
Frost dates near Columbia
- Rocheport Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Hallsville Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Ashland Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Mid Missouri Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Harrisburg Apr 5 · Oct 31
- Wooldridge Apr 12 · Oct 25
- Jamestown Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Hartsburg Apr 7 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbia, MO?
The median last spring frost in Columbia, MO is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbia, MO?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, MO?
About 209 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbia, MO?
Columbia, MO is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.