Missouri sits at the crossroads of several climate regions, giving gardeners in different parts of the state distinct growing experiences. The Bootheel in the southeast has a long, warm season, while northern Missouri near the Iowa border stays cooler with later frosts.
The state's deep, fertile soils — especially in the river valleys — are excellent for vegetable gardening. Missouri's reliable summer rainfall means less irrigation is needed compared to western states, though drought years do occur.
The last frost date is the typical date in spring when your area has its final frost. After this date, it's generally safe to plant warm-season crops outdoors.
Start tomato seeds indoors about 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. In the St. Louis and Kansas City areas, that's typically early to mid-March.
Yes — cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, spinach, and broccoli can handle light frost and should be planted 4–6 weeks before your last frost date.
Missouri spans from the Ozark highlands to the Mississippi floodplain. The Bootheel is warmer and has a longer season, while northern Missouri has later last frosts.
Missouri doesn't have frost-free areas, but the Bootheel region has the longest growing season in the state. Enter your zip code in the app for exact dates.
You enter your zip code, and we look up your local frost dates. Then based on the crops you pick, we calculate when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — personalized to your location.