When is the last frost in Columbia, MO?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Columbia is around April 5, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Columbia U Of M, MO station (5.3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Columbia?

The average first fall frost in Columbia, MO is around October 31, giving roughly a 207-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Columbia, MO?

Columbia is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -5 to 0°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Columbia?

In Columbia, MO the warmest month is July (avg high 88.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 22.5°F). It averages about 44.8″ of precipitation a year and 17.4″ of snow.

Home › Missouri › Columbia

Columbia, MO Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 65201 · elevation 235′ · NOAA & USDA data

Columbia is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 207 days between the average last spring frost (April 5) and first fall frost (October 31). The warmest month is July (avg high 88.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 22.5°F). It averages 44.8″ of precipitation a year and 17.4″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -5 to 0°F

Last spring frost

April 5

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

207 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Columbia

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Columbia U Of M, MO (5.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	39.3	22.5	30.9	2.4	5.9
February	44.9	26.5	35.7	2.3	4.8
March	56.2	35.8	46	3.2	2
April	67	45.8	56.4	4.8	0.3
May	75.7	56	65.9	5.2	0
June	84.5	65.2	74.8	5.1	0
July	88.6	69.1	78.8	4.6	0
August	87.6	67.4	77.5	4.1	0
September	79.9	58.8	69.4	4.3	0
October	68.3	47.3	57.8	3.5	0.1
November	54.8	36.5	45.6	3	0.8
December	43.6	26.9	35.3	2.2	3.5

What to plant when in Columbia

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 22 · Transplant out: April 12
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 8 · Transplant out: April 19
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 12
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 12
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 12
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 12
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 12
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 1 · Sow (fall): September 5
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 22 · Sow (fall): September 5
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 8 · Sow (fall): September 5
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 15 · Sow (fall): August 22
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 22
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 15 · Sow (fall): August 22
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 8
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 22
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 8 · Sow (fall): September 19

Dates are computed from Columbia's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Missouri

Jefferson City, MO Chesterfield, MO St. Peters, MO St. Charles, MO Florissant, MO Blue Springs, MO St. Louis, MO Independence, MO

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Columbia U Of M, MO, 5.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Columbia U Of M, MO, 5.3 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.