Kirksville, MO planting zone & frost dates

Kirksville is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 21 and the first fall frost around October 19, for a growing season of about 179 days.

USDA hardiness zone6aavg. extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F

Average last spring frostApril 2190% chance of no frost after May 5

Average first fall frostOctober 1910% chance of frost by October 2

Growing season179 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Kirksville

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 21) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Feb 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 19).

Useful for zone 6a gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 7	Apr 21	May 5
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Oct 31	Oct 19	Oct 2

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 10.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Kirksville

63501 zone 6a

Nearby cities

Moberly zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
Marshall zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
Mexico zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
Columbia zone 6b, last frost Apr 5
Hannibal zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
Fulton zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
Sedalia zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
Jefferson City zone 6b, last frost Apr 8

All cities in Missouri → · Other zone 6a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Kirksville, MO?

Kirksville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Kirksville?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Kirksville is April 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 5.

When can I plant tomatoes in Kirksville?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 28 – May 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Kirksville, MO (USC00234544), 1.4 km (0.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 296 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.