Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 63862 (Lilbourn, 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, New Madrid, MO (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)220 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°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
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (20 mi).
4-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (20 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 63862 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 66°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 13 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 3: 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 11 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 12 |
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 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 3 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 19 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 7 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 28 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 15 |
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 63862
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 3). 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 | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | Jul 7–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 17–31 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 17–31 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Mar 7–28 (transplant) Feb 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–29 (transplant) Aug 25–Sep 22 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 14–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–29 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 28 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) Jul 28–Aug 25 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 17–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 17–31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17–31 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 14–Aug 4 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 31–Feb 14 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 14–28 | Mar 14–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 14–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 28–Mar 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 7–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 28–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 3–17 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 14–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 3–17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Jul 14–28 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 18–May 2 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 18–May 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 11–25 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 28–Mar 7 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 14–28 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) Apr 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 3–17 | Apr 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 14–28 | Apr 4–18 (transplant) Apr 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 14–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 17–31 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (transplant) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (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 March 28 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: New Madrid, MO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00236045), elevation 302 ft, 8.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portageville, MO | 12 mi | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Malden Muni AP, MO | 17 mi | Mar 29 | Nov 3 |
| Sikeston Pwr STN, MO | 20 mi | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 4 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 63862
When is the last frost in 63862?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 63862 is March 28. For a more cautious planting date, use April 12, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 63862?
The average first fall freeze is November 3. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 23.
What hardiness zone is 63862?
ZIP 63862 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 63862 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
63833 Catron 63866 Marston 63860 63874 Risco 63870 Parma 63878 Tallapoosa 63869 New Madrid 63873 Portageville
Other ZIP codes in New Madrid County
63828 63833 63848 63860 63866 63867 63868 63869 63870 63873 63874 63878 All New Madrid 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.