Last frost date in Springfield, MO

Average last frost
April 4

The average last frost in Springfield is April 4. By April 20 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 204 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 15 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 20
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
204 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 27
Next 7 nights in Springfield

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2352°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2553°
  5. MonOct 2651°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2850°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 4First frost Oct 27204 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND204 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Springfield Wbo, 0.6 miles from Springfield.

Planting calendar for Springfield

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 11–Apr 25
PumpkinsApr 18–May 2
SunflowersApr 4–Apr 25
CucumbersApr 18–Apr 25
CornApr 11–Apr 25
Sweet potatoesApr 25–May 9
WatermelonApr 18–May 2
Green beansApr 11–May 2
ZucchiniApr 11–Apr 25
OkraApr 25–May 9
PeppersApr 18–May 2
BasilApr 11–Apr 25
Butternut squashApr 11–Apr 25
CantaloupeApr 18–May 2
EggplantApr 18–May 2
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 7–Mar 21
OnionsFeb 21–Mar 14
CarrotsMar 14–Apr 18
LettuceMar 21–Apr 11
BroccoliMar 7–Mar 21
BeetsMar 7–Apr 18
PeasFeb 21–Mar 7
CabbageMar 7–Mar 21
RadishesFeb 28–Apr 11
Brussels sproutsMar 21–Apr 4
SpinachFeb 21–Mar 14
CilantroMar 21–Apr 11
KaleMar 7–Mar 21
Collard greensMar 7–Mar 21
TurnipsMar 7–Mar 21
DillApr 4–Apr 18
CeleryApr 11–Apr 18
CauliflowerMar 21–Apr 4
LeeksMar 21–Apr 4
Swiss chardMar 21–Apr 18
ParsleyMar 21–Apr 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 7–Mar 21
AsparagusMar 7–Mar 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 21Apr 4Apr 20Oct 15Oct 27Nov 11
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 8Mar 27Apr 10Oct 23Nov 7Nov 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 Springfield Wbo (USW00093981) sits 0.6 miles from the center of Springfield at 1,325 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 Springfield, MO?

The average last frost date in Springfield is April 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 20.

When is the first frost in Springfield?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 15.

How long is the growing season in Springfield?

About 204 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Springfield?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 11 to April 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Missouri

All 41 cities in Missouri