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

Planting zone for 64481 — Ridgeway, MO

ZIP code 64481 (Ridgeway, Harrison County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 64481 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 16

First frostOct 22

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ridgeway, 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 Ridgeway, 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 plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Bethany, MO — 10 miles away, elevation 948 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 64481

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 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 64481 came on Mar 11 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 11

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 5b in Missouri

491 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Ridgeway, MO.

Soil in Ridgeway, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64481 is Lamoni — clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lamoni clay loam, 5 to 9 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 64481; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ridgeway, MO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights132nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,530base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 17 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bethany, MO (10 mi away); precipitation: Bethany 1.3 Ne, MO (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

644246a

Bethany, MO · 10 mi

646325b

Cainsville, MO · 10 mi

644265b

Blythedale, MO · 11 mi

644425b

Eagleville, MO · 12 mi

646426a

Gilman City, MO · 13 mi

644675b

Martinsville, MO · 15 mi

646735b

Princeton, MO · 16 mi

646366a

Coffey, MO · 16 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64481

What planting zone is ZIP code 64481?

ZIP code 64481 (Ridgeway, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Ridgeway, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64481 is April 16; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bethany station.

When is the first frost in Ridgeway, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64481 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64481?

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 64481 get?

About 38.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bethany 1.3 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Ridgeway, MO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64481 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lamoni at the center of ZIP 64481: clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ridgeway, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64481 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ridgeway, MO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 64481 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).