When to plant in Independence, MO
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Independence, Missouri — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Independence sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
INDEPENDENCE · 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 Independence’s own odds, recorded at INDEPENDENCE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 7 | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 | Oct 29 |
| 32°F | Apr 26 | Apr 10 | Mar 29 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Mar 14 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 | Nov 20 |
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 Independence, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Independence planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Independence, MO?
On average, the last spring frost in Independence is around April 10 (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 Independence, MO?
In Independence, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 27 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Independence in?
Independence 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 Independence?
There are roughly 200 frost-free days in Independence (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 10 to the first fall frost near October 27.
When should I plant tomatoes in Independence?
In Independence, start tomato seeds indoors around February 13–February 27, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 17 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Independence
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Independence’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Blue Springs · 11 km
- Raytown · 14 km
- Grain Valley · 14 km
- Kansas City · 18 km
- Liberty · 18 km
- Lee's Summit · 18 km
- Gladstone · 23 km
- Prairie Village · 27 km
Frost dates recorded at INDEPENDENCE, 4 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 Independence, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00234154. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/independence.