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

Planting zone for 64778 — Richards, MO

ZIP code 64778 (Richards, Vernon County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 64778 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 7
First frostOct 27
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Richards, 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 Richards, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Nevada Wtp, MO — 8 miles away, elevation 873 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 64778

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 64778 came on Feb 23 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 6b in Missouri

525 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 70

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Shrubs 83

alternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 192

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 157

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblister sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Richards, MO.

Soil in Richards, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64778 is Parsons — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Parsons silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

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 64778; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Richards, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights97nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,202base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year; 9 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 22 °F 42°22° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° MarApril: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 1.77 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 1.8❄3 JanFebruary: 2.07 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.1❄2 FebMarch: 3.41 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.4❄1 MarApril: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 6.77 in precipitation 6.8 MayJune: 5.35 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 SepOctober: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.06 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.1 NovDecember: 2.22 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.2❄2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

647656b
Metz, MO · 6 mi
647416b
Deerfield, MO · 8 mi
647717a
Moundville, MO · 10 mi
647727a
Nevada, MO · 10 mi
647526b
Hume, MO · 11 mi
647796b
Rich Hill, MO · 13 mi
647906b
Walker, MO · 14 mi
667386b
Fulton, KS · 15 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64778

What planting zone is ZIP code 64778?

ZIP code 64778 (Richards, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Richards, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64778 is April 7; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nevada Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Richards, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64778 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64778?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 64778 get?

About 46.5 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nevada Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Richards, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64778 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Parsons at the center of ZIP 64778: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Richards, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64778 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Richards, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 64778 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.