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

Planting zone for 65775 — West Plains, MO

ZIP code 65775 (West Plains, Howell 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 65775 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 West Plains, 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 West Plains, 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 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station W Plains, MO — 2 miles away, elevation 1,106 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 65775

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 65775 came on Feb 24 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7).

average
Mar 72026
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 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 West Plains, MO.

Soil in West Plains, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65775 is Britwater — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Britwater silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 65775; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Plains, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,909base 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

Precipitation49.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall9 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Plains, MO (2 mi away); precipitation: W Plains, MO (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

656887a

Brandsville, MO · 10 mi

657897a

Pomona, MO · 11 mi

657887a

Peace Valley, MO · 12 mi

656927a

Koshkonong, MO · 13 mi

657907a

Pottersville, MO · 14 mi

Caulfield, MO · 16 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65775

What planting zone is ZIP code 65775?

ZIP code 65775 (West Plains, 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 West Plains, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65775 is April 16; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Plains station.

When is the first frost in West Plains, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65775 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65775?

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 65775 get?

About 49.4 inches of precipitation a year and 9 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Plains station).

How hot do summers get in West Plains, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65775 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Britwater at the center of ZIP 65775: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in West Plains, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65775 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Plains, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65775 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65775 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65775 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.