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

Planting zone for 65668 — Hermitage, MO

ZIP code 65668 (Hermitage, Hickory County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 65668 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 7

First frostOct 28

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 Hermitage, 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 Hermitage, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 13

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Pomme De Terre Dam, MO — 2 miles away, elevation 909 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 65668

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 65668 came on Feb 24 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Feb 24

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 Hermitage, MO.

Soil in Hermitage, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65668 is Gasconade — flaggy silty clay loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFlaggy silty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gasconade-Rock outcrop complex, 8 to 50 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 65668; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hermitage, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low23 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,265base 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

Precipitation45.5 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: Pomme De Terre Dam, MO (2 mi away); precipitation: Hermitage 0.5 Ese, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Cross Timbers, MO · 8 mi

657676b

Urbana, MO · 9 mi

657746b

Weaubleau, MO · 11 mi

657276b

Polk, MO · 11 mi

656506b

Flemington, MO · 12 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65668

What planting zone is ZIP code 65668?

ZIP code 65668 (Hermitage, 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 Hermitage, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65668 is April 7; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pomme De Terre Dam station.

When is the first frost in Hermitage, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65668 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65668?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65668 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hermitage 0.5 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Hermitage, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65668 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gasconade at the center of ZIP 65668: flaggy silty clay loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hermitage, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65668 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hermitage, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65668 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.