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

Planting zone for 65560 — Salem, MO

ZIP code 65560 (Salem, Dent County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 65560 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 17

First frostOct 18

2012 zone6b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Salem, 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 Salem, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Salem, MO — 3 miles away, elevation 1,204 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 65560

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 65560 came on Feb 28 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8).

average
Mar 82026
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).

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.

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 Salem, MO.

Soil in Salem, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65560 is Nixa — slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter69%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nixa-Clarksville 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 65560; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Salem, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights91nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,910base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 46 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 34 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 3 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Salem, MO (3 mi away); precipitation: Salem, MO (3 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.

Lake Spring, MO · 16 mi

Hartshorn, MO · 19 mi

654466b

Cherryville, MO · 20 mi

654626b

Edgar Springs, MO · 21 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65560

What planting zone is ZIP code 65560?

ZIP code 65560 (Salem, 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 Salem, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65560 is April 17; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem station.

When is the first frost in Salem, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65560 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65560?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65560 get?

About 47 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Salem station).

How hot do summers get in Salem, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65560 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nixa at the center of ZIP 65560: slightly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Salem, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65560 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Salem, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65560 is 14 h 46 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.