When is the last frost in Jefferson City, MO?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Jefferson City is around April 10, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Jefferson City Mem Ap, MO station (6.6 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 Jefferson City?

The average first fall frost in Jefferson City, MO is around October 26, giving roughly a 198-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Jefferson City, MO?

Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City?

In Jefferson City, MO the warmest month is July (avg high 88°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 21°F). It averages about 43.6″ of precipitation a year and 8.9″ of snow.

Home › Missouri › Jefferson City

Jefferson City, MO Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 65101 · elevation 198′ · NOAA & USDA data

Jefferson City is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 198 days between the average last spring frost (April 10) and first fall frost (October 26). The warmest month is July (avg high 88°F); the coldest is January (avg low 21°F). It averages 43.6″ of precipitation a year and 8.9″ 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 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

198 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 88°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Jefferson City

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Jefferson City Wtp, MO (6.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	39.6	21	30.3	2.2	2.9
February	45.1	24.7	34.9	2.3	2.9
March	55.5	33.7	44.6	3.2	0.4
April	66.6	43.8	55.2	4.8	0
May	75.2	54.6	64.9	5.2	0
June	83.9	64.3	74.1	4.2	0
July	88	68.6	78.3	4.4	0
August	87.2	66.6	76.9	4.1	0
September	79.9	58.1	69	4.2	0
October	68.5	45.8	57.2	3.4	0
November	55.1	34.8	45	3.2	0.2
December	44	25.7	34.9	2.3	2.5

What to plant when in Jefferson City

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 27 · Transplant out: April 17
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 13 · Transplant out: April 24
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 17
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 17
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 17
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 17
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 17
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): August 31
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 27 · Sow (fall): August 31
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): August 31
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 17
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 27
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 17
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 13
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 27
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): September 14

Dates are computed from Jefferson City'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

Columbia, MO Chesterfield, MO St. Peters, MO St. Charles, MO Florissant, MO St. Louis, MO Springfield, MO Blue Springs, 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 — Jefferson City Mem Ap, MO, 6.6 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Jefferson City Wtp, MO, 6.6 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.