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

Planting zone for 64655 — Lucerne, MO

ZIP code 64655 (Lucerne, Putnam County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 64655 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 17
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 Lucerne, 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 Lucerne, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season186 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Unionville, MO — 14 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 64655

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
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 17) 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 64655 came on Mar 11 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

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 Lucerne, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64655 is Gara — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.23%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Gara loam, 14 to 18 percent slopes, moderately 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 64655; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lucerne, MO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,365base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 04 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)
Precipitation41.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 52 °F 71°52° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 30 °F 50°30° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AprMay: 5.65 in precipitation 5.7 MayJune: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 JunJuly: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 AugSeptember: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 NovDecember: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Unionville, MO (14 mi away); precipitation: Unionville 0.8 W, MO (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

646675b
Newtown, MO · 6 mi
646725b
Powersville, MO · 6 mi
635605b
Pollock, MO · 9 mi
646456a
Harris, MO · 11 mi
646615b
Mercer, MO · 15 mi
525905b
Seymour, IA · 16 mi
500525b
Clio, IA · 17 mi
500085b
Allerton, IA · 17 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64655

What planting zone is ZIP code 64655?

ZIP code 64655 (Lucerne, 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 Lucerne, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64655 is April 17; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Unionville station.

When is the first frost in Lucerne, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64655 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 186 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64655?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 64655 get?

About 41.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Unionville 0.8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Lucerne, MO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64655 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gara at the center of ZIP 64655: loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lucerne, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64655 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lucerne, MO?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 64655 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).