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

Planting zone for 65532 — Lake Spring, MO

ZIP code 65532 (Lake Spring, Dent County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 65532 is

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 23
First frostOct 14
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 Lake Spring, 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 Lake Spring, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Salem 10 W, MO — 11 miles away, elevation 1,198 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 65532

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 65532 came on Mar 1 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

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

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 83

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 192

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 157

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 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °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 Lake Spring, MO.

Soil in Lake Spring, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65532 is Possumtrot — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Possumtrot fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 65532; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Spring, MO

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,640base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.4 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 43 °F, low 21 °F 43°21° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 24 °F 47°24° FebMarch: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.66 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 FebMarch: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 5.40 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salem 10 W, MO (11 mi away); precipitation: Rolla 8.2 Sse, MO (4 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.

654016b
Rolla, MO · 9 mi
655416b
Lenox, MO · 11 mi
654496b
Cook Sta, MO · 11 mi
654626b
Edgar Springs, MO · 12 mi
654026b
Rolla, MO · 13 mi
654096b
Rolla, MO · 13 mi
655866a
Wesco, MO · 15 mi
655506b
Newburg, MO · 15 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65532

What planting zone is ZIP code 65532?

ZIP code 65532 (Lake Spring, 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 Lake Spring, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65532 is April 23; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem 10 W station.

When is the first frost in Lake Spring, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65532 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65532?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65532 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rolla 8.2 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Spring, MO?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65532 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Possumtrot at the center of ZIP 65532: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake Spring, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65532 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Spring, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65532 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65532 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65532 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.