Bowling Green 1 E, MO Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Bowling Green 1 E garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
193 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 30 Apr 13 May 1
First fall frost Nov 5 Oct 23 Oct 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 2 · first Nov 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the BOWLING GREEN 1 E station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Bowling Green 1 E

Computed from Bowling Green 1 E's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 16 – Mar 2 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🫑 Peppers Feb 2 – Feb 16 Apr 27 – May 4
🥬 Lettuce Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 16 – Apr 13
🫛 Peas Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥕 Carrots Mar 23 – Apr 13
🥦 Broccoli Feb 23 – Mar 9 Mar 23 – Apr 6
🥬 Kale Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30 Mar 16 – Mar 30
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 16 – Mar 23 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🥒 Zucchini Mar 16 – Mar 23 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 20 – Apr 27
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 20 – Apr 27
🌿 Basil Mar 2 – Mar 16 Apr 20 – Apr 27 Apr 27 – May 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 11 – Oct 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Bowling Green 1 E's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Bowling Green 1 E

Roughly 193 frost-free days gives Bowling Green 1 E gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 13; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 23 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Bowling Green 1 E, MO?

The average last spring frost in Bowling Green 1 E is around Apr 13, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Bowling Green 1 E, MO?

The average first fall frost in Bowling Green 1 E arrives around Oct 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Bowling Green 1 E?

About 193 frost-free days on average, from Apr 13 to Oct 23. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Bowling Green 1 E in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.