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

Planting zone for 64401 — Agency, MO

ZIP code 64401 (Agency, Buchanan 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 17.

Where ZIP 64401 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 17
2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Agency, 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 Agency, 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 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season180 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station St Joseph Rosecrans Airport, MO — 15 miles away, elevation 817 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 64401

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 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 64401 came on Mar 4 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Agency, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64401 is Knox — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Knox silt 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 64401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Agency, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,861base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation38 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 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 JanFebruary: 1.28 in precipitation 1.3 FebMarch: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 5.39 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 JulAugust: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 NovDecember: 1.49 in precipitation 1.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: St Joseph Rosecrans Airport, MO (15 mi away); precipitation: St. Joseph 4.4 E, MO (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

644486a
Faucett, MO · 6 mi
644546a
Gower, MO · 7 mi
645076a
Saint Joseph, MO · 7 mi
644396a
Dearborn, MO · 8 mi
645086a
Saint Joseph, MO · 8 mi
644436a
Easton, MO · 8 mi
645036a
Saint Joseph, MO · 11 mi
644446a
Edgerton, MO · 11 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64401

What planting zone is ZIP code 64401?

ZIP code 64401 (Agency, 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 Agency, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64401 is April 19; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St Joseph Rosecrans Airport station.

When is the first frost in Agency, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64401 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 180 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64401?

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 64401 get?

About 38 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St. Joseph 4.4 E station).

How hot do summers get in Agency, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Knox at the center of ZIP 64401: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Agency, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64401 came on Mar 4 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Agency, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 64401 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.