Planting zone for 65103 — Jefferson City, MO
ZIP code 65103 (Jefferson City, Cole County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 31.
Where ZIP 65103 is
tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Jefferson 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 Jefferson City, MO
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 8.
From the NOAA station Jefferson City Wtp, MO — within 1 mile, elevation 650 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 65103
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 65103 came on Mar 2 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).
Mar 142026
Mar 2
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 Jefferson City, MO
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65103 is Udorthents — silty clay loam, moderately well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.
Map unit: Urban land, 3 to 15 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 65103; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Jefferson City, MO
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jefferson City Wtp, MO (within 1 mile); precipitation: Jefferson City Wtp, MO (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.
All 11 ZIP codes in Jefferson City → · Missouri planting zones →
Questions about 65103
What planting zone is ZIP code 65103?
ZIP code 65103 (Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City, MO?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65103 is April 8; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson City Wtp station.
When is the first frost in Jefferson City, MO?
The median first fall frost near 65103 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 205 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 65103?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 65103 get?
About 43.6 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson City Wtp station).
How hot do summers get in Jefferson City, MO?
The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 65103 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Udorthents at the center of ZIP 65103: silty clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).
Did spring come early in Jefferson City, MO in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 65103 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Jefferson City, MO?
Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65103 is 14 h 52 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.
Did the zone for 65103 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65103 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.