Columbia, MO planting zone & frost dates

Columbia is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 5 and the first fall frost around October 31, for a growing season of about 207 days.

USDA hardiness zone6bavg. extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F

Average last spring frostApril 590% chance of no frost after April 21

Average first fall frostOctober 3110% chance of frost by October 17

Growing season207 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Columbia

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 5) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – Apr 26
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 12 – Apr 19

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 31).

Useful for zone 6b gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

As an Amazon Associate, FrostZoneMap earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 19	Apr 5	Apr 21
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 14	Oct 31	Oct 17

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 21, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 17. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 26.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Columbia

65201 zone 6b
65202 zone 6b
65203 zone 6b
65205 zone 6b
65212 zone 6b
65216 zone 6b
65217 zone 6b
65218 zone 6b

Nearby cities

Fulton zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
Jefferson City zone 6b, last frost Apr 8
Moberly zone 6b, last frost Apr 13
Mexico zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
Marshall zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
Sedalia zone 6b, last frost Apr 18
Rolla zone 6b, last frost Apr 5
Hannibal zone 6a, last frost Apr 10

All cities in Missouri → · Other zone 6b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Columbia, MO?

Columbia is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Columbia?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Columbia is April 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 21.

When can I plant tomatoes in Columbia?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 12 – Apr 19. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Columbia U Of M, MO (USC00231801), 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 235 m, based on 24 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.