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

Planting zone for 65603 — Arcola, MO

ZIP code 65603 (Arcola, Dade County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 65603 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 11

First frostOct 25

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Arcola, 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 Arcola, 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 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 10

Growing season198 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Lockwood, MO — 11 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 65603

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 65603 came on Feb 19 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

average
Mar 92026
Feb 19

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 7a in Missouri

540 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Missouri, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Arcola, MO.

Soil in Arcola, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65603 is Goss — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Goss gravelly silt loam, 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 65603; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Arcola, MO

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,225base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 45 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

Precipitation45.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lockwood, MO (11 mi away); precipitation: Umber View Heights 0.1 Wsw, MO (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

656617a

Greenfield, MO · 6 mi

656356b

Dadeville, MO · 8 mi

647567a

Jerico Springs, MO · 11 mi

South Greenfield, MO · 14 mi

656496b

Fair Play, MO · 14 mi

656016b

Aldrich, MO · 15 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65603

What planting zone is ZIP code 65603?

ZIP code 65603 (Arcola, MO) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Arcola, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65603 is April 11; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lockwood station.

When is the first frost in Arcola, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65603 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 198 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65603?

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 65603 get?

About 45.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Umber View Heights 0.1 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Arcola, MO?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65603 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Goss at the center of ZIP 65603: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Arcola, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65603 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Arcola, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65603 is 14 h 45 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65603 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65603 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.