When to plant in Columbia, MO
USDA Zone 6bColumbia, Missouri frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6b, Columbia gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
COLUMBIA U OF M · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Columbia’s own odds, recorded at COLUMBIA U OF M.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 18 | Apr 2 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 19 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F | Apr 11 | Mar 26 | Mar 8 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 | Nov 27 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Columbia, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 35 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Columbia planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Columbia, MO?
On average, the last spring frost in Columbia is around April 5 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Columbia, MO?
The first fall frost in Columbia typically arrives around October 31 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Columbia in?
Columbia is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Columbia?
Columbia has about 209 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 5) and first fall frost (October 31).
When should I plant tomatoes in Columbia?
For Columbia, sow tomatoes indoors about February 8–February 22 and move the seedlings out around April 12, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Columbia
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Columbia’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at COLUMBIA U OF M, 1 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Columbia, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00231801. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/columbia.