Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 63552 — Macon, MO

ZIP code 63552 (Macon, Macon County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 63552 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 8

First frostOct 28

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 Macon, 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 Macon, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Long Branch Rsvr, MO — 3 miles away, elevation 820 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 63552

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 63552 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Mar 10

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).

Soil in Macon, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 63552 is Keswick — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Keswick clay loam, 9 to 20 percent slopes, severely 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 63552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Macon, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights119nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,921base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation40.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Long Branch Rsvr, MO (3 mi away); precipitation: Macon 1.5 N, MO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Jacksonville, MO · 11 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 63552

What planting zone is ZIP code 63552?

ZIP code 63552 (Macon, 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 Macon, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 63552 is April 8; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Branch Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Macon, MO?

The median first fall frost near 63552 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 63552?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 63552 get?

About 40.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Macon 1.5 N station).

How hot do summers get in Macon, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 63552 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Keswick at the center of ZIP 63552: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Macon, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 63552 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 Macon, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 63552 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 63552 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 63552 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.