Springfield, MO planting zone & frost dates

Springfield is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 4 and the first fall frost around October 27, for a growing season of about 204 days.

USDA hardiness zone7aavg. extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F

Average last spring frostApril 490% chance of no frost after April 20

Average first fall frostOctober 2710% chance of frost by October 15

Growing season204 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Springfield

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 4) 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 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 27).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 21	Apr 4	Apr 20
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 11	Oct 27	Oct 15

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 20, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 15. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 27.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Springfield

65801 zone 7a
65802 zone 7a
65803 zone 6b
65804 zone 6b
65805 zone 7a
65806 zone 6b
65807 zone 6b
65808 zone 7a
65809 zone 6b
65810 zone 6b
65814 zone 6b
65817 zone 6b
65890 zone 7a
65897 zone 7a
65898 zone 7a
65899 zone 7a

Nearby cities

Nixa zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
Republic zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
Ozark zone 6b, last frost Apr 15
Bolivar zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
Branson zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
Lebanon zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
Carthage zone 7a, last frost Apr 4
Neosho zone 7a, last frost Apr 7

All cities in Missouri → · Other zone 7a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Springfield, MO?

Springfield is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6b.

When is the last frost in Springfield?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Springfield is April 4. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 20.

When can I plant tomatoes in Springfield?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 11 – Apr 18. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Springfield Wbo, MO (USW00093981), 1.7 km (1.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 404 m, based on 9 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.