Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 63539 — Ethel, MO

ZIP code 63539 (Ethel, Macon County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 63539 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 19
First frostOct 18
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ethel, MO…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Ethel, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Kirksville Regional Airport, MO — 17 miles away, elevation 965 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 63539

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 18) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 63539 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Missouri

516 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 68

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Shrubs 82

alternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 155

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblister sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 10

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fmuscadine30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Ethel, MO.

Soil in Ethel, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 63539 is Armstrong — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Armstrong loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, eroded.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 63539; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ethel, MO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,447base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 00 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 20 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation40 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 17 °F 34°17° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 5.36 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kirksville Regional Airport, MO (17 mi away); precipitation: Brookfield 3.7 Nne, MO (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

635386a
Elmer, MO · 5 mi
635576a
New Boston, MO · 7 mi
646316a
Bucklin, MO · 9 mi
635666a
Winigan, MO · 12 mi
635586a
New Cambria, MO · 12 mi
635346a
Callao, MO · 14 mi
635326a
Bevier, MO · 15 mi
646286a
Brookfield, MO · 17 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 63539

What planting zone is ZIP code 63539?

ZIP code 63539 (Ethel, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Ethel, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 63539 is April 19; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kirksville Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ethel, MO?

The median first fall frost near 63539 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 63539?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 63539 get?

About 40 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brookfield 3.7 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Ethel, MO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 63539 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Armstrong at the center of ZIP 63539: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ethel, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 63539 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ethel, MO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 63539 is 15 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 63539 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 63539 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.