When to plant in Jefferson City, MO
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Jefferson City, Missouri — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Jefferson City sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
JEFFERSON CITY WTP · 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 Jefferson City’s own odds, recorded at JEFFERSON CITY WTP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 21 | Apr 4 | Oct 7 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Mar 23 | Oct 17 | Oct 31 | Nov 11 |
| 28°F | Apr 13 | Mar 28 | Mar 9 | Oct 28 | Nov 8 | Nov 25 |
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 Jefferson City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 28 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.
Jefferson City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Jefferson City, MO?
On average, the last spring frost in Jefferson City is around April 8 (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 Jefferson City, MO?
Expect Jefferson City's first fall frost near October 31 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Jefferson City in?
Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City?
There are roughly 206 frost-free days in Jefferson City (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 8 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Jefferson City?
In Jefferson City, start tomato seeds indoors around February 11–February 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Jefferson City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Jefferson City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Fulton · 37 km
- Columbia · 44 km
- Mexico · 71 km
- Rolla · 78 km
- Fort Leonard Wood · 90 km
- Sedalia · 93 km
- Moberly · 97 km
- Washington · 101 km
Frost dates recorded at JEFFERSON CITY WTP, 2 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 Jefferson City, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00234271. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/jefferson-city.