When to plant in Kearney, MO
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Kearney, Missouri — all computed from Kearney's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Kearney sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
KEARNEY 3E · 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 Kearney’s own odds, recorded at KEARNEY 3E.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 12 | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Sep 26 | Oct 8 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 5 | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Oct 4 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | Apr 8 | Mar 22 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 | Nov 11 |
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 Kearney, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Kearney planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Kearney, MO?
On average, the last spring frost in Kearney is around April 19 (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 Kearney, MO?
Expect Kearney's first fall frost near October 17 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Kearney in?
Kearney is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Kearney?
There are roughly 181 frost-free days in Kearney (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 19 to the first fall frost near October 17.
When should I plant tomatoes in Kearney?
In Kearney, start tomato seeds indoors around February 22–March 8, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 26 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Kearney
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Kearney’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Excelsior Springs · 10 km
- Liberty · 14 km
- Smithville · 19 km
- Gladstone · 23 km
- Independence · 30 km
- Kansas City · 30 km
- Blue Springs · 39 km
- Grain Valley · 40 km
Frost dates recorded at KEARNEY 3E, 3 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 Kearney, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00234382. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/kearney.