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

Planting zone for 65686 — Kimberling City, MO

ZIP code 65686 (Kimberling City, Stone County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 65686 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 16
First frostOct 21
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 Kimberling City, 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 Kimberling City, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Galena, MO — 12 miles away, elevation 1,027 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 65686

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 65686 came on Feb 17 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

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 Kimberling City, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65686 is Alred — very gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alred-Ocie complex, 8 to 15 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 65686; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kimberling City, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights113nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,123base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 39 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.4 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 45 °F, low 22 °F 45°22° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 65 °F 89°65° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.37 in precipitation 5.4 MayJune: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 3.79 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Galena, MO (12 mi away); precipitation: Kimberling City 1.5 Wnw, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

656817a
Lampe, MO · 6 mi
656117a
Blue Eye, MO · 7 mi
657477a
Shell Knob, MO · 8 mi
657377a
Reeds Spring, MO · 8 mi
656247a
Cape Fair, MO · 10 mi
726607a
Oak Grove, AR · 11 mi
657267a
Point Lookout, MO · 11 mi
656167a
Branson, MO · 11 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65686

What planting zone is ZIP code 65686?

ZIP code 65686 (Kimberling City, 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 Kimberling City, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65686 is April 16; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Galena station.

When is the first frost in Kimberling City, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65686 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65686?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65686 get?

About 46.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kimberling City 1.5 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Kimberling City, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65686 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alred at the center of ZIP 65686: very gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kimberling City, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65686 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kimberling City, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65686 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65686 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65686 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.