Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 65803 (Springfield, MO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Springfield, MO (7 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)199 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
61°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 58°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Mt Vernon (36 mi), Journagan Ranch (60 mi).
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 61°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Mt Vernon (36 mi), Journagan Ranch (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 65803 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 62°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 25 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 27: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 27 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 9 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 65803
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 27). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 12–26 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 12–26 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 12–26 | Mar 19–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 12–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–22 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 26–Mar 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 12–26 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 12–26 | Mar 12–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–Sep 1 (transplant) Jul 21–Aug 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 12–26 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 12–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Mar 26–Apr 16 (transplant) Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 12–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 5–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 12–Apr 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 12–Mar 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 15–29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 26–Mar 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 15–29 | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 26–Mar 12 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 30–May 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 12–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 12–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 12–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 12–19 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 12–19 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 23–May 7 (transplant) Apr 23–May 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 15–29 | Apr 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 26–Mar 12 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 26–Apr 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 29–Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 (transplant) Mar 19–Apr 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Missouri has a university or garden plant program: Plants of Merit. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 9 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Springfield, MO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013995), elevation 1,278 ft, 6.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Wbo, MO | 6 mi | Apr 4 | Oct 27 |
| Ash Grove 4S, MO | 17 mi | Apr 11 | Oct 24 |
| Marshfield 4 WSW, MO | 17 mi | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 9 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 65803
When is the last frost in 65803?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 65803 is April 9. For a more cautious planting date, use April 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 65803?
The average first fall freeze is October 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 14.
What hardiness zone is 65803?
ZIP 65803 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 65803 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
65801 Springfield 65806 Springfield 65897 Springfield 65802 Springfield 65807 Springfield 65781 Willard 65809 Springfield 65804 Springfield
Other ZIP codes in Greene County
65604 65612 65619 65648 65738 65742 65757 65770 65781 65801 65802 65804 65806 65807 65809 65810 65897 All Greene County frost dates · Missouri frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.