When is the last frost in Joplin, MO?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Joplin is around April 9, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Joplin Regional Airport, MO station (2.8 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 Joplin?

The average first fall frost in Joplin, MO is around October 27, giving roughly a 200-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Joplin, MO?

Joplin is in USDA plant hardiness zone 7a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 0 to 5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Joplin?

In Joplin, MO the warmest month is July (avg high 90.3°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 25°F). It averages about 45.6″ of precipitation a year.

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Joplin, MO Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 7a · ZIP 64801 · elevation 299′ · NOAA & USDA data

Joplin is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (winters can dip to 0 to 5°F), with a growing season of about 200 days between the average last spring frost (April 9) and first fall frost (October 27). The warmest month is July (avg high 90.3°F); the coldest is January (avg low 25°F). It averages 45.6″ of precipitation a year. 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 0 to 5°F

Last spring frost

April 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 27

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

200 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 90.3°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Joplin

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Joplin Regional Airport, MO (2.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	44.8	25	34.9	1.9	–
February	50	28.7	39.4	2	–
March	59.8	37.4	48.6	3.3	–
April	69.2	46.6	57.9	5	–
May	77	56	66.5	6.6	–
June	85.9	65.3	75.6	5.6	–
July	90.3	69.5	79.9	4	–
August	90	67.9	79	3.4	–
September	82	59.4	70.7	4.2	–
October	70.7	47.9	59.3	3.8	–
November	58.4	37.1	47.8	3.3	–
December	47.8	28.5	38.1	2.6	–

What to plant when in Joplin

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 26 · Transplant out: April 16
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 12 · Transplant out: April 23
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 16
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 16
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 16
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 16
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 16
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 5 · Sow (fall): September 1
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 26 · Sow (fall): September 1
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): September 1
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 18
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 26
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 18
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 12
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 26
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): September 15

Dates are computed from Joplin'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

Springfield, MO Blue Springs, MO Kansas City, MO Independence, MO Jefferson City, MO Columbia, MO St. Joseph, MO Chesterfield, 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 — Joplin Regional Airport, MO, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Joplin Regional Airport, MO, 2.8 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.