When to plant in Smithville, MO
USDA Zone 6aSmithville, Missouri frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Smithville sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
SMITHVILLE LAKE · 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 Smithville’s own odds, recorded at SMITHVILLE LAKE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 13 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Sep 25 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 18 | Apr 4 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 23 | Apr 7 | Mar 23 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | 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 Smithville, 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.
Smithville planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Smithville, MO?
Smithville's average last spring frost falls near April 18 — 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 Smithville, MO?
Expect Smithville's first fall frost near October 20 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Smithville in?
Smithville 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 Smithville?
There are roughly 185 frost-free days in Smithville (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 18 to the first fall frost near October 20.
When should I plant tomatoes in Smithville?
In Smithville, start tomato seeds indoors around February 21–March 7, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 25 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Smithville
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Smithville’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Kearney · 19 km
- Gladstone · 20 km
- Liberty · 22 km
- Excelsior Springs · 29 km
- Kansas City · 30 km
- Leavenworth · 32 km
- Lansing · 33 km
- Kansas City · 34 km
Frost dates recorded at SMITHVILLE LAKE, 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 Smithville, MO — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00237862. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/missouri/smithville.