Rolla, MO planting zone & frost dates
Rolla is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 5 and the first fall frost around November 1, for a growing season of about 207 days.
Planting calendar for Rolla
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 6 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 1).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 21 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 15 | Nov 1 | Oct 18 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 22, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 18. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 26.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Rolla
- 65401 zone 6b
- 65402 zone 6b
- 65409 zone 6b
Nearby cities
- Fort Leonard Wood zone 6b, last frost Apr 14
- Jefferson City zone 6b, last frost Apr 8
- Union zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
- Fulton zone 6b, last frost Apr 10
- Lebanon zone 6b, last frost Apr 17
- Washington zone 6b, last frost Apr 8
- Columbia zone 6b, last frost Apr 5
- Mexico zone 6b, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Rolla, MO?
Rolla 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 Rolla?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Rolla is April 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 22.
When can I plant tomatoes in Rolla?
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 Rolla Missouri S&T, MO (USC00237263), 0.7 km (0.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 358 m, based on 30 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.