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

Planting zone for 65043 — Holts Summit, MO

ZIP code 65043 (Holts Summit, Callaway County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 65043 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 10
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Holts Summit, 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 Holts Summit, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Jefferson City Mem Airport, MO — 4 miles away, elevation 574 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 65043

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
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 10) 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 65043 came on Mar 1 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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

Shrubs 83

Wildflowers & perennials 192

Grasses 157

Vines 12

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 Holts Summit, MO.

Soil in Holts Summit, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65043 is Goss — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goss-Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 35 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 65043; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Holts Summit, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,238base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 52 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation39.7 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 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 JanFebruary: 1.87 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 MarApril: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.10 in precipitation 2.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jefferson City Mem Airport, MO (4 mi away); precipitation: Jefferson City Mem Airport, MO (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65043

What planting zone is ZIP code 65043?

ZIP code 65043 (Holts Summit, 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 Holts Summit, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65043 is April 10; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson City Mem Airport station.

When is the first frost in Holts Summit, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65043 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65043?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65043 get?

About 39.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson City Mem Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Holts Summit, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65043 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goss at the center of ZIP 65043: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Holts Summit, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65043 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Holts Summit, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65043 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65043 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65043 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.