When to plant in Kansas City, MO
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Kansas City, Missouri — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6b, Kansas City gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP · 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 Kansas City’s own odds, recorded at KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 15 | Apr 1 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F | Apr 20 | Apr 4 | Mar 17 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
| 28°F | Apr 10 | Mar 26 | Mar 6 | Oct 28 | Nov 11 | Nov 29 |
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 Kansas City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Kansas City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Kansas City, MO?
Kansas City's average last spring frost falls near April 4 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Kansas City, MO?
The first fall frost in Kansas City typically arrives around November 2 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Kansas City in?
Kansas 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 Kansas City?
Kansas City has about 212 frost-free days — a long growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 4) and first fall frost (November 2).
When should I plant tomatoes in Kansas City?
For Kansas City, sow tomatoes indoors about February 7–February 21 and move the seedlings out around April 11, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Kansas City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Kansas City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Gladstone · 10 km
- Raytown · 16 km
- Kansas City · 17 km
- Prairie Village · 17 km
- Liberty · 17 km
- Merriam · 17 km
- Independence · 18 km
- Leawood · 25 km
Frost dates recorded at KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, 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 Kansas City, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013988. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/kansas-city.