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

Planting zone for 64451 — Forest City, MO

ZIP code 64451 (Forest City, Holt County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 64451 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 16
First frostOct 20
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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 6 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Oregon, MO — 4 miles away, elevation 1,060 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 64451

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 64451 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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 Forest City, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64451 is Luton — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.75%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Luton clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely 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 64451; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Forest City, MO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights123nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,738base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 01 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)
Precipitation38.7 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 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 53 °F 74°53° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 6.50 in precipitation 6.5 JulAugust: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 NovDecember: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Oregon, MO (4 mi away); precipitation: Forest City 6.9 N, MO (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

660946a
White Cloud, KS · 7 mi
644736a
Oregon, MO · 7 mi
660356a
Highland, KS · 9 mi
644706a
Mound City, MO · 12 mi
644496a
Fillmore, MO · 13 mi
644376a
Craig, MO · 13 mi
684316a
Rulo, NE · 13 mi
644666a
Maitland, MO · 13 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64451

What planting zone is ZIP code 64451?

ZIP code 64451 (Forest City, 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 Forest City, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64451 is April 16; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oregon station.

When is the first frost in Forest City, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64451 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64451?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 64451 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forest City 6.9 N station).

How hot do summers get in Forest City, MO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64451 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Luton at the center of ZIP 64451: clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Forest City, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64451 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Forest City, MO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 64451 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 64451 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 64451 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.