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

Planting zone for 65793 — Willow Springs, MO

ZIP code 65793 (Willow Springs, Howell County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 65793 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 8
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 Willow Springs, 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 Willow Springs, MO

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station West Plains Municipal Airport, MO — 9 miles away, elevation 1,224 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 65793

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
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 8) 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 65793 came on Feb 28 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9).

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 Willow Springs, MO

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 65793 is Kenaga — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kenaga-Egyptgrove complex, 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 65793; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Willow Springs, MO

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,206base 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
Precipitation47.3 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 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 FebMarch: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 MarApril: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 5.55 in precipitation 5.5 MayJune: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.21 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 NovDecember: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: West Plains Municipal Airport, MO (9 mi away); precipitation: West Plains Municipal Airport, MO (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

657897a
Pomona, MO · 11 mi
656897a
Cabool, MO · 12 mi
654647a
Elk Creek, MO · 14 mi
655487a
Mountain View, MO · 15 mi
655647a
Solo, MO · 17 mi
656377a
Dora, MO · 19 mi
655897a
Yukon, MO · 19 mi
657887a
Peace Valley, MO · 20 mi

Missouri planting zones →

Questions about 65793

What planting zone is ZIP code 65793?

ZIP code 65793 (Willow Springs, 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 Willow Springs, MO?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 65793 is April 8; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Plains Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Willow Springs, MO?

The median first fall frost near 65793 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 199 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 65793?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 65793 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, West Plains Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Willow Springs, MO?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 65793 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kenaga at the center of ZIP 65793: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Willow Springs, MO in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 65793 came on Feb 28 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Willow Springs, MO?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 65793 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 65793 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 65793 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.