In Kansas City, MO, the average last spring frost is Apr 13 and the average first fall frost is Oct 24, which leaves about 193 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Kansas City International Airport, MO weather station, at 1,005 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 29, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 9.
Frost dates for Kansas City, MO
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Mar 30 | Nov 5 | 220 days |
| Average (half of years) | Apr 13 | Oct 24 | 193 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 29 | Oct 9 | 163 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Kansas City, MO
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Peppers | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Apr 27 to May 4 | – |
| Onions | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | – |
| Parsley | Feb 2 to Feb 16 | Apr 13 to Apr 20 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Feb 16 to Mar 2 | Mar 30 to Apr 6 | Aug 1 to Aug 29 |
| Basil | Mar 2 to Mar 2 | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 1 to Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 29 to Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 to Mar 16 | Aug 29 to Sep 26 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | Aug 29 to Sep 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | Aug 1 to Aug 29 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | Aug 1 to Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 to Mar 30 | Aug 1 to Aug 29 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 to Apr 13 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 to Apr 13 | Aug 29 to Sep 26 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 to Apr 20 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | Jul 11 to Jul 25 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 to Apr 27 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 11 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 to May 11 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sat 14 night (29°F), Sun 15 night (32°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 14 night | 29°F | Freeze |
| Sun 15 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Mon 16 night | 38°F | No frost expected |
| Tue 17 night | 44°F | No frost expected |
| Wed 18 night | 51°F | No frost expected |
| Thu 19 night | 51°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 55°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Kansas City, MO
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kansas City, MO?
The average last spring frost is Apr 13. A late frost as far out as Apr 29 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Kansas City, MO?
The average first fall frost is Oct 24. It can arrive as early as Oct 9 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Kansas City, MO?
The average freeze-free season is about 193 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Kansas City International Airport, MO station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.