When to plant in Jackson, MO
USDA Zone 7aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Jackson, Missouri — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 7a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Jackson, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average first fall frost in Jackson is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
JACKSON · 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 Jackson’s own odds, recorded at JACKSON.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 3 | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Oct 7 | Oct 19 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | Apr 22 | Apr 7 | Mar 24 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 | Nov 9 |
| 28°F | Apr 13 | Mar 29 | Mar 10 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 | Nov 23 |
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 Jackson, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 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.
Jackson planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Jackson, MO?
Plan for the last spring frost in Jackson around April 7 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Jackson, MO?
The first fall frost in Jackson typically arrives around October 29 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Jackson in?
Jackson is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. In zone 7a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Jackson?
There are roughly 205 frost-free days in Jackson (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 7 to the first fall frost near October 29.
When should I plant tomatoes in Jackson?
In Jackson, start tomato seeds indoors around February 10–February 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 14 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Jackson
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Jackson’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cape Girardeau · 12 km
- Carbondale · 54 km
- Sikeston · 55 km
- Herrin · 72 km
- Marion · 74 km
- Farmington · 82 km
- Paducah · 96 km
- Poplar Bluff · 96 km
Frost dates recorded at JACKSON, 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 Jackson, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 7a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00234226. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/jackson.