Last frost date in Joplin, MO
In Joplin, the last spring frost comes around April 9 in an average year. Wait until April 26 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 200 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 12 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 26
- Average first frost
- Oct 27
- Frost-free season
- 200 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 29
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2255°
- FriOct 2356°
- SatOct 2456°
- SunOct 2556°
- MonOct 2653°
- TueOct 2750°
- WedOct 2852°
Planting calendar for Joplin
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Missouri.
TomatoesApr 16–Apr 30
PumpkinsApr 23–May 7
SunflowersApr 9–Apr 30
CucumbersApr 23–Apr 30
CornApr 16–Apr 30
Sweet potatoesApr 30–May 14
WatermelonApr 23–May 7
Green beansApr 16–May 7
ZucchiniApr 16–Apr 30
OkraApr 30–May 14
PeppersApr 23–May 7
BasilApr 16–Apr 30
Butternut squashApr 16–Apr 30
CantaloupeApr 23–May 7
EggplantApr 23–May 7
PotatoesMar 12–Mar 26
OnionsFeb 26–Mar 19
CarrotsMar 19–Apr 23
LettuceMar 26–Apr 16
BroccoliMar 12–Mar 26
BeetsMar 12–Apr 23
PeasFeb 26–Mar 12
CabbageMar 12–Mar 26
RadishesMar 5–Apr 16
Brussels sproutsMar 26–Apr 9
SpinachFeb 26–Mar 19
CilantroMar 26–Apr 16
KaleMar 12–Mar 26
Collard greensMar 12–Mar 26
TurnipsMar 12–Mar 26
DillApr 9–Apr 23
CeleryApr 16–Apr 23
CauliflowerMar 26–Apr 9
LeeksMar 26–Apr 9
Swiss chardMar 26–Apr 23
ParsleyMar 26–Apr 16
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
StrawberriesMar 12–Mar 26
AsparagusMar 12–Mar 26Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 24 | Apr 9 | Apr 26 | Oct 12 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 10 | Mar 29 | Apr 16 | Oct 21 | Nov 4 | Nov 22 |
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 Joplin Regional Airport (USW00013987) sits 4.9 miles from the center of Joplin at 980 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 Joplin, MO?
The average last frost date in Joplin is April 9, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 26.
When is the first frost in Joplin?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Joplin?
About 200 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Joplin?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 16 to April 30. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Missouri
- RepublicApr 9
- NixaApr 15
- SpringfieldApr 4
- OzarkApr 15
- RaymoreApr 13
- BeltonApr 13
- WarrensburgApr 14
- GrandviewApr 7
- Lee's SummitApr 7
- SedaliaApr 18
- RaytownApr 7
- Blue SpringsApr 7