When to Plant in Missouri: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 1035 Missouri ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 11 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 6 areas: Apr 19 – Apr 26; Zone 7 areas: Apr 14 – Apr 21.
Missouri spans USDA hardiness zones 5b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 1035 of its 1035 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 11 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 2 – Apr 19) and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (Oct 17 – Nov 2). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Missouri frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 (673 ZIP codes) | Kansas City Downtown Airport, MO, Potosi 4 Sw, MO, Smithville Lake, MO | Apr 12middle 80%: Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Oct 23middle 80%: Oct 17 – Oct 30 |
| Zone 7 (313 ZIP codes) | St Louis Sci Ctr, MO, St Louis Lambert Intl Airport, MO, Sikeston Pwr Stn, MO | Apr 7middle 80%: Mar 29 – Apr 15 | Oct 27middle 80%: Oct 22 – Nov 4 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Missouri ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (45 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Allerton, IA, Alton - Melvin Price L&D, IL, Atchison, KS, Auburn 5 Ese, NE, Bloomfield, IA, Blytheville Muni Airport, AR…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Missouri vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Missouri, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 6 areasLast frost Apr 12 · First frost Oct 23 | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 7 · First frost Oct 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – Jun 3 | Feb 24 – Mar 10Harvest (est.) Apr 25 – May 29 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 15 – May 14 | Feb 24 – Mar 10Harvest (est.) Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 8 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Mar 28 – Apr 28 | Mar 3 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 12 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 4 – Jun 7 | Mar 10 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – Jun 2 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 22 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Mar 17 – Apr 7 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Mar 17 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 29 – Apr 5Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 24 | Mar 24 – Mar 31Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 19 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 28 – Jul 25 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jul 20 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jul 5 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 30 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jul 25 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 20 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 30 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 25 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jun 15 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 10 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jul 8 – Aug 11 | Apr 14 – Apr 28Harvest (est.) Jul 3 – Aug 6 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 19 – Apr 26Harvest (est.) May 31 – Jun 7 | Apr 14 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 2 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Jul 17 | Apr 21 – Apr 28Harvest (est.) Jun 25 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 26 – May 3Harvest (est.) Jul 5 – Aug 1 | Apr 21 – Apr 28Harvest (est.) Jun 30 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 31 – Aug 14Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Sep 23 – Oct 27 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 31 – Aug 14Harvest (est.) Oct 9 – Nov 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 18Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 16 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 14 – Aug 28Harvest (est.) Oct 3 – Nov 6 | Aug 18 – Sep 1Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 28 – Sep 11Harvest (est.) Oct 27 – Nov 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 15Harvest (est.) Oct 31 – Dec 4 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 4 – Sep 25Harvest (est.) Oct 19 – Nov 24 | Sep 8 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Oct 23 – Nov 28 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 11 – Sep 25Harvest (est.) Oct 1 – Oct 25 | Sep 15 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Oct 29 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 25 – Nov 6 | Sep 29 – Nov 10 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 9 – Nov 20 | Oct 13 – Nov 24 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 9 – Nov 13Harvest (est.) Jun 16, 2027 – Aug 10, 2027 | Oct 13 – Nov 17Harvest (est.) Jun 20, 2027 – Aug 14, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Missouri USDA zone guides: Zone 5 planting guide Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Missouri gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Missouri?
Across the 1035 Missouri ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 11, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 2 to Apr 19. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Missouri?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 6 areas: Apr 19 – Apr 26; Zone 7 areas: Apr 14 – Apr 21.
What USDA zone is Missouri?
Missouri spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 5b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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