Last frost date in Jefferson City, MO

Average last frost
April 8

In Jefferson City, the last spring frost comes around April 8 in an average year. Wait until April 23 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 31, which leaves 205 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 17 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 23
Average first frost
Oct 31
Frost-free season
205 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 28
Next 7 nights in Jefferson City

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2248°
  2. FriOct 2349°
  3. SatOct 2450°
  4. SunOct 2551°
  5. MonOct 2649°
  6. TueOct 2745°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 8First frost Oct 31205 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND205 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Jefferson City Water Plant, 1.3 miles from Jefferson City.

Planting calendar for Jefferson City

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 15–Apr 29
PumpkinsApr 22–May 6
SunflowersApr 8–Apr 29
CucumbersApr 22–Apr 29
CornApr 15–Apr 29
Sweet potatoesApr 29–May 13
WatermelonApr 22–May 6
Green beansApr 15–May 6
ZucchiniApr 15–Apr 29
OkraApr 29–May 13
PeppersApr 22–May 6
BasilApr 15–Apr 29
Butternut squashApr 15–Apr 29
CantaloupeApr 22–May 6
EggplantApr 22–May 6
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 11–Mar 25
OnionsFeb 25–Mar 18
CarrotsMar 18–Apr 22
LettuceMar 25–Apr 15
BroccoliMar 11–Mar 25
BeetsMar 11–Apr 22
PeasFeb 25–Mar 11
CabbageMar 11–Mar 25
RadishesMar 4–Apr 15
Brussels sproutsMar 25–Apr 8
SpinachFeb 25–Mar 18
CilantroMar 25–Apr 15
KaleMar 11–Mar 25
Collard greensMar 11–Mar 25
TurnipsMar 11–Mar 25
DillApr 8–Apr 22
CeleryApr 15–Apr 22
CauliflowerMar 25–Apr 8
LeeksMar 25–Apr 8
Swiss chardMar 25–Apr 22
ParsleyMar 25–Apr 15
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 17–Nov 21
GarlicOct 10–Nov 14
Daffodil bulbsOct 3–Nov 14
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 11–Mar 25
AsparagusMar 11–Mar 25

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 23Apr 8Apr 23Oct 17Oct 31Nov 11
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 9Mar 28Apr 13Oct 28Nov 8Nov 25

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 Jefferson City Water Plant (USC00234271) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Jefferson City at 650 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 Jefferson City, MO?

The average last frost date in Jefferson City is April 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 23.

When is the first frost in Jefferson City?

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 Jefferson City?

About 205 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Jefferson City?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 15 to April 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Missouri

All 41 cities in Missouri