Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 65062 — Mount Sterling, MO

ZIP code 65062 (Mount Sterling, Gasconade County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 65062 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 11

First frostOct 21

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 Mount Sterling, 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 Mount Sterling, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Freedom, MO — 4 miles away, elevation 804 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 65062

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2

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 11) 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 65062 came on Feb 28 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
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).

Soil in Mount Sterling, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65062 is Gravois — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Gravois-Gatewood complex, 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 65062; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mount Sterling, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,913base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 51 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

Precipitation44.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Gasconade, MO · 13 mi

650416b

Hermann, MO · 13 mi

650666b

Owensville, MO · 14 mi

650166b

Bonnots Mill, MO · 15 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65062

What planting zone is ZIP code 65062?

ZIP code 65062 (Mount Sterling, 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 Mount Sterling, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65062 is April 11; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freedom station.

When is the first frost in Mount Sterling, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65062 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65062?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65062 get?

About 44.3 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Freedom station).

How hot do summers get in Mount Sterling, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65062 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gravois at the center of ZIP 65062: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Mount Sterling, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65062 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mount Sterling, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65062 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65062 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65062 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.