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

Planting zone for 65565 — Steelville, MO

ZIP code 65565 (Steelville, Crawford County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 65565 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 26
First frostOct 8
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Steelville, 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 Steelville, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Steelville 2 N, MO — 11 miles away, elevation 699 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 65565

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24
BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 65565 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Steelville, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65565 is Alred — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter69%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alred-Rueter complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony.

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 65565; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Steelville, MO

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,539base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.9 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 42 °F, low 19 °F 42°19° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 21 °F 48°21° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 29 °F 57°29° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 60 °F 87°60° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 51 °F 79°51° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 39 °F 70°39° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 29 °F 56°29° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 AprMay: 5.48 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.01 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Steelville 2 N, MO (11 mi away); precipitation: Steelville 10.2 Sse, MO (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

654466b
Cherryville, MO · 6 mi
655666b
Viburnum, MO · 7 mi
654566b
Davisville, MO · 8 mi
655866a
Wesco, MO · 11 mi
655356b
Leasburg, MO · 12 mi
654496b
Cook Sta, MO · 14 mi
654416b
Bourbon, MO · 14 mi
636646b
Potosi, MO · 18 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65565

What planting zone is ZIP code 65565?

ZIP code 65565 (Steelville, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Steelville, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65565 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steelville 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Steelville, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65565 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65565?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65565 get?

About 45.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steelville 10.2 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Steelville, MO?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65565 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alred at the center of ZIP 65565: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Steelville, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65565 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Steelville, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65565 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.