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

Planting zone for 65753 — Sparta, MO

ZIP code 65753 (Sparta, Christian County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 65753 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 26

First frostOct 13

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sparta, 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 Sparta, 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 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Oldfield, MO — 2 miles away, elevation 1,240 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 65753

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 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 65753 came on Feb 23 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14).

average
Mar 142026
Feb 23

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 Sparta, MO.

Soil in Sparta, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65753 is Poynor — extremely gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureExtremely gravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Poynor extremely gravelly silt loam, 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 65753; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sparta, MO

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,250base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation48.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall17 inper year; 17 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: Oldfield, MO (2 mi away); precipitation: Oldfield, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Rogersville, MO · 9 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65753

What planting zone is ZIP code 65753?

ZIP code 65753 (Sparta, 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 Sparta, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65753 is April 26; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oldfield station.

When is the first frost in Sparta, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65753 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65753?

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 65753 get?

About 48.5 inches of precipitation a year and 17 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oldfield station).

How hot do summers get in Sparta, MO?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65753 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poynor at the center of ZIP 65753: extremely gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sparta, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65753 came on Feb 23 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sparta, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65753 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65753 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65753 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.