Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 65216 (Columbia, MO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Columbia U Of M, MO (1 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 3150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)207 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
60°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of CMRB LTAR-MO (22 mi), Carver Farm (32 mi), Busby Farm (32 mi).
4-inch depth
62°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of CMRB LTAR-MO (22 mi), Carver Farm (32 mi), Busby Farm (32 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 65216 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 62°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 21 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 31: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 5 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 21 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 31 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 14 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 5 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 65216
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 31). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 8–22 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 8–22 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 8–22 | Mar 15–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 8–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–26 (transplant) Aug 22–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 22–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–26 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 8–22 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 8–22 | Mar 8–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) Jul 25–Aug 22 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 22 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 11–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 8–22 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Mar 22–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 22–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 8–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 15–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 1–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 8–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 15–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 8–22 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 11–25 | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 22–Mar 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 11–25 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 22–Mar 8 (transplant) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 26–May 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 8–15 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 8–15 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 8–15 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 8–15 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 8–15 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 11–25 | Apr 12–19 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 12–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 22–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 25–Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) Mar 15–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Missouri has a university or garden plant program: Plants of Merit. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 5 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Columbia U Of M, MO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00231801), elevation 770 ft, 1.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Rgnl AP, MO | 11 mi | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Fulton, MO | 22 mi | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
| Boonville, MO | 22 mi | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 65216
When is the last frost in 65216?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 65216 is April 5. For a more cautious planting date, use April 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 65216?
The average first fall freeze is October 31. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 17.
What hardiness zone is 65216?
ZIP 65216 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 65216 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
65215 Columbia 65202 Columbia 65203 Columbia 65201 Columbia 65255 Hallsville 65287 Wooldridge 65279 Rocheport 65010 Ashland
Other ZIP codes in Boone County
65010 65039 65201 65202 65203 65215 65255 65256 65279 65284 All Boone County frost dates · Missouri frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.