Frost Dates for Maryland Heights, MO

In Maryland Heights, MO, the average last spring frost is around Apr 4 and the average first fall frost around Oct 29, for a growing season of about 206 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 21, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 450% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 21only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2950% chance of frost before this date
Growing season206 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the St Charles 7 Ssw, MO weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 450 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 21Oct 15
20%Apr 14Oct 20
30%Apr 10Oct 24
40%Apr 7Oct 27
50%Apr 4Oct 29
60%Apr 2Oct 31
70%Mar 31Nov 2
80%Mar 27Nov 6
90%Mar 20Nov 11

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 16Oct 19
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 4Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 25Nov 8

Planting calendar for Maryland Heights

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers
Indoors Jan 24 – Feb 7
Transplant Apr 18 – May 2
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 24 – Feb 7
Transplant Apr 18 – May 2
Basil
Indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 14
Sow or transplant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 14
Sow or transplant Apr 11 – Apr 25
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 11 – Apr 25
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 7 – Mar 14
Sow or transplant Apr 18 – May 2
Green beans
Sow Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 11 – Apr 25
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7
Sow or transplant Mar 7 – Mar 21
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Oct 1
Spinach
Sow Feb 21 – Mar 14
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Sep 24
Peas
Sow Feb 21 – Mar 7
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 3
Kale
Indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21
Sow or transplant Mar 7 – Mar 21
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 17
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Mar 21 – Apr 4
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Mar 14 – Mar 28
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Carrots
Sow Mar 14 – Apr 4
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Radishes
Sow Feb 28 – Mar 21
Fall sowing Sep 17 – Oct 8
Beets
Sow Mar 14 – Apr 4
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 3
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 10 – Jan 24
Plant Mar 7 – Mar 21
Potatoes
Plant Mar 14 – Mar 28
Garlic
Plant Oct 29 – Nov 26

Based on the average last frost (Apr 4) and first frost (Oct 29). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

St. CharlesChesterfieldUniversity CitySt. PetersBallwinFlorissantKirkwoodSt. LouisAll Missouri towns