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

Planting zone for 64601 — Chillicothe, MO

ZIP code 64601 (Chillicothe, Livingston County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 64601 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 15
First frostOct 21
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 Chillicothe, 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 Chillicothe, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Chillicothe Agri-Sci, MO — within 1 mile, elevation 768 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 64601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 64601 came on Mar 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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 Chillicothe, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64601 is Lagonda — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lagonda silty clay loam, 2 to 5 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 64601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chillicothe, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights118nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,839base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 00 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
Precipitation40.3 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 18 °F 37°18° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.25 in precipitation 1.3 JanFebruary: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 FebMarch: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 5.42 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 1.70 in precipitation 1.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chillicothe Agri-Sci, MO (within 1 mile); precipitation: Chillicothe Agri-Sci, MO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

646866a
Utica, MO · 5 mi
646646a
Mooresville, MO · 5 mi
646566a
Ludlow, MO · 11 mi
646546a
Lock Springs, MO · 11 mi
646886a
Wheeling, MO · 11 mi
646256a
Breckenridge, MO · 13 mi
646356a
Chula, MO · 13 mi
646386a
Dawn, MO · 13 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64601

What planting zone is ZIP code 64601?

ZIP code 64601 (Chillicothe, 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 Chillicothe, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64601 is April 15; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chillicothe Agri-Sci station.

When is the first frost in Chillicothe, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64601 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 64601 get?

About 40.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chillicothe Agri-Sci station).

How hot do summers get in Chillicothe, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lagonda at the center of ZIP 64601: silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Chillicothe, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64601 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chillicothe, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 64601 is 15 h 00 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 64601 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 64601 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.