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

Planting zone for 64863 — South West City, MO

ZIP code 64863 (South West City, McDonald County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 64863 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 15
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for South West 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 South West City, 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 plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season194 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Anderson 3w, MO — 8 miles away, elevation 1,119 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 64863

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 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 64863 came on Feb 15 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

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 7a in Missouri

540 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 72

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 85

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 195

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 163

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 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °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 South West City, MO.

Soil in South West City, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 64863 is Jollymill — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jollymill-Crackerneck complex, karst, 3 to 8 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 64863; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South West City, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,293base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.2 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 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° JanFebruary: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° FebMarch: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° 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 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 27 °F 49°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 2.53 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.42 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 6.93 in precipitation 6.9 MayJune: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.33 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Anderson 3w, MO (8 mi away); precipitation: Anderson 3w, MO (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

727687a
Sulphur Springs, AR · 8 mi
648547a
Noel, MO · 8 mi
648477a
Lanagan, MO · 8 mi
743457a
Grove, OK · 9 mi
648687a
Tiff City, MO · 9 mi
743447a
Grove, OK · 9 mi
648317a
Anderson, MO · 10 mi
727367a
Gravette, AR · 12 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 64863

What planting zone is ZIP code 64863?

ZIP code 64863 (South West City, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in South West City, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 64863 is April 15; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anderson 3w station.

When is the first frost in South West City, MO?

The median first fall frost near 64863 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 194 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 64863?

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 64863 get?

About 49.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Anderson 3w station).

How hot do summers get in South West City, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 64863 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jollymill at the center of ZIP 64863: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in South West City, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 64863 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South West City, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 64863 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 64863 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 64863 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.