Last frost date in St. Joseph, MO
In St. Joseph, the last spring frost comes around April 19 in an average year. Wait until May 3 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 17, which leaves 180 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 30 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 3
- Average first frost
- Oct 17
- Frost-free season
- 180 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 9
No frost in the next 7 nights
Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 17.
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2254°
- FriOct 2357°
- SatOct 2456°
- SunOct 2556°
- MonOct 2649°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2849°
Planting calendar for St. Joseph
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Missouri.
TomatoesApr 26–May 10
PumpkinsMay 3–May 17
SunflowersApr 19–May 10
CucumbersMay 3–May 10
CornApr 26–May 10
Sweet potatoesMay 10–May 24
WatermelonMay 3–May 17
Green beansApr 26–May 17
ZucchiniApr 26–May 10
OkraMay 10–May 24
PeppersMay 3–May 17
BasilApr 26–May 10
Butternut squashApr 26–May 10
CantaloupeMay 3–May 17
EggplantMay 3–May 17
PotatoesMar 22–Apr 5
OnionsMar 8–Mar 29
CarrotsMar 29–May 3
LettuceApr 5–Apr 26
BroccoliMar 22–Apr 5
BeetsMar 22–May 3
PeasMar 8–Mar 22
CabbageMar 22–Apr 5
RadishesMar 15–Apr 26
Brussels sproutsApr 5–Apr 19
SpinachMar 8–Mar 29
CilantroApr 5–Apr 26
KaleMar 22–Apr 5
Collard greensMar 22–Apr 5
TurnipsMar 22–Apr 5
DillApr 19–May 3
CeleryApr 26–May 3
CauliflowerApr 5–Apr 19
LeeksApr 5–Apr 19
Swiss chardApr 5–May 3
ParsleyApr 5–Apr 26
Tulip bulbsOct 3–Nov 7
GarlicSep 26–Oct 31
Daffodil bulbsSep 19–Oct 31
StrawberriesMar 22–Apr 5
AsparagusMar 22–Apr 5Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | May 3 | Sep 30 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 25 | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
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 St Joseph Rosecrans Airport (USW00013993) sits 5.5 miles from the center of St. Joseph at 818 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 St. Joseph, MO?
The average last frost date in St. Joseph is April 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 3.
When is the first frost in St. Joseph?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 17. One year in ten it arrives before September 30.
How long is the growing season in St. Joseph?
About 180 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in St. Joseph?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 26 to May 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Missouri
- GladstoneApr 4
- LibertyApr 19
- Kansas CityApr 4
- IndependenceApr 10
- RaytownApr 7
- Blue SpringsApr 7
- Lee's SummitApr 7
- GrandviewApr 7
- BeltonApr 13
- RaymoreApr 13
- WarrensburgApr 14
- SedaliaApr 18