Last frost date in Columbia, MO

Average last frost
April 5

In Columbia, the last spring frost comes around April 5 in an average year. Wait until April 21 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 31, which leaves 207 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 17 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 21
Average first frost
Oct 31
Frost-free season
207 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 26
Next 7 nights in Columbia

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2251°
  2. FriOct 2351°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2553°
  5. MonOct 2651°
  6. TueOct 2746°
  7. WedOct 2848°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 5First frost Oct 31207 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND207 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Columbia University Of M, 0.5 miles from Columbia.

Planting calendar for Columbia

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Missouri.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 12–Apr 26
PumpkinsApr 19–May 3
SunflowersApr 5–Apr 26
CucumbersApr 19–Apr 26
CornApr 12–Apr 26
Sweet potatoesApr 26–May 10
WatermelonApr 19–May 3
Green beansApr 12–May 3
ZucchiniApr 12–Apr 26
OkraApr 26–May 10
PeppersApr 19–May 3
BasilApr 12–Apr 26
Butternut squashApr 12–Apr 26
CantaloupeApr 19–May 3
EggplantApr 19–May 3
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 8–Mar 22
OnionsFeb 22–Mar 15
CarrotsMar 15–Apr 19
LettuceMar 22–Apr 12
BroccoliMar 8–Mar 22
BeetsMar 8–Apr 19
PeasFeb 22–Mar 8
CabbageMar 8–Mar 22
RadishesMar 1–Apr 12
Brussels sproutsMar 22–Apr 5
SpinachFeb 22–Mar 15
CilantroMar 22–Apr 12
KaleMar 8–Mar 22
Collard greensMar 8–Mar 22
TurnipsMar 8–Mar 22
DillApr 5–Apr 19
CeleryApr 12–Apr 19
CauliflowerMar 22–Apr 5
LeeksMar 22–Apr 5
Swiss chardMar 22–Apr 19
ParsleyMar 22–Apr 12
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 17–Nov 21
GarlicOct 10–Nov 14
Daffodil bulbsOct 3–Nov 14
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 8–Mar 22
AsparagusMar 8–Mar 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 19Apr 5Apr 21Oct 17Oct 31Nov 14
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 8Mar 26Apr 11Oct 27Nov 9Nov 27

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Columbia University Of M (USC00231801) sits 0.5 miles from the center of Columbia at 770 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Columbia, MO?

The average last frost date in Columbia is April 5, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 21.

When is the first frost in Columbia?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 31. One year in ten it arrives before October 17.

How long is the growing season in Columbia?

About 207 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Columbia?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 12 to April 26. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Missouri

All 41 cities in Missouri