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

Planting zone for 63869 — New Madrid, MO

ZIP code 63869 (New Madrid, New Madrid County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 63869 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F
Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C
Last frostMar 28
First frostNov 3
2012 zone7a

Was 7a 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 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Madrid, 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 New Madrid, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season220 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station New Madrid, MO — 2 miles away, elevation 302 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 63869

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 63869 came on Feb 25 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3).

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 7b in Missouri

542 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 73

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 85

alternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °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 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 195

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 164

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 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °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 New Madrid, MO.

Soil in New Madrid, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 63869 is Alligator — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.6%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Alligator silty clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 63869; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Madrid, MO

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights72nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,747base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° JanFebruary: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 71 °F 90°71° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 FebMarch: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MarApril: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 5.49 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.94 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Madrid, MO (2 mi away); precipitation: New Madrid, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

638607b
Kewanee, MO · 7 mi
638667b
Marston, MO · 8 mi
638627b
Lilbourn, MO · 10 mi
638677b
Matthews, MO · 10 mi
638457b
East Prairie, MO · 12 mi
638337b
Catron, MO · 13 mi
380797b
Tiptonville, TN · 13 mi
638287b
Canalou, MO · 15 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 63869

What planting zone is ZIP code 63869?

ZIP code 63869 (New Madrid, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in New Madrid, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 63869 is March 28; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Madrid station.

When is the first frost in New Madrid, MO?

The median first fall frost near 63869 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 220 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 63869?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 63869 get?

About 49.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Madrid station).

How hot do summers get in New Madrid, MO?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 63869 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alligator at the center of ZIP 63869: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 5.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in New Madrid, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 63869 came on Feb 25 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Madrid, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 63869 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 63869 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 63869 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.