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

Planting zone for 65265 — Mexico, MO

ZIP code 65265 (Mexico, Audrain 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 25.

Where ZIP 65265 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 25
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 Mexico, 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 Mexico, 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 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 13
Growing season197 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Mexico, MO — 2 miles away, elevation 801 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 65265

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 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 65265 came on Mar 6 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21).

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 Mexico, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65265 is Armstrong — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Armstrong loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, eroded.

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 65265; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mexico, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,907base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.5 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 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 JanFebruary: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 MarApril: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 5.07 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 4.86 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mexico, MO (2 mi away); precipitation: Mexico, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

652806b
Rush Hill, MO · 7 mi
652326b
Benton City, MO · 8 mi
652856b
Thompson, MO · 8 mi
633526b
Laddonia, MO · 13 mi
652826a
Santa Fe, MO · 13 mi
652316b
Auxvasse, MO · 13 mi
652406b
Centralia, MO · 13 mi
652646b
Martinsburg, MO · 13 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65265

What planting zone is ZIP code 65265?

ZIP code 65265 (Mexico, 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 Mexico, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65265 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mexico station.

When is the first frost in Mexico, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65265 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 197 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65265?

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 65265 get?

About 43.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mexico station).

How hot do summers get in Mexico, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65265 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Armstrong at the center of ZIP 65265: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Mexico, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65265 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mexico, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65265 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65265 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65265 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.