Frost dates for ZIP 65793 (Willow Springs, MO)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, West Plains Muni AP, MO (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)199 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
61°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 60°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Journagan Ranch, 15 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 74°, Fri 66°.
4-inch depth
63°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 63°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Measured at USDA NRCS SCAN station Journagan Ranch, 15 mi away. Daily averages: Thu 73°, Fri 67°.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 65793 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 63°F at 4 inches. Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 24 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 25: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 23 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 8 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 26 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 25 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 8 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 65793
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 25). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 11–25 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 11–25 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 11–25 | Mar 18–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 11–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 20 (transplant) Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 11–25 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 11–25 | Mar 11–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 14–28 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 5–26 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 11–25 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 11–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Mar 25–Apr 15 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 11–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 18–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 4–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 11–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 18–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 11–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 14–28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 14–28 | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Jul 5–19 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 29–May 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 11–18 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 11–18 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 11–18 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 11–18 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 11–18 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 (transplant) Apr 22–May 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 14–28 | Apr 15–22 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 25–Mar 11 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 25–Apr 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 28–Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 18–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 11–25 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Missouri has a university or garden plant program: Plants of Merit. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 8 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: West Plains Muni AP, MO (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00053901), elevation 1,223 ft, 8.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mtn Grove 2 N, MO | 19 mi | Apr 11 | Oct 28 |
| W Plains, MO | 19 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 21 |
| Dora 3SE, MO | 21 mi | Apr 9 | Oct 23 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 8 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 65793
When is the last frost in 65793?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 65793 is April 8. For a more cautious planting date, use April 26, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 65793?
The average first fall freeze is October 25. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 14.
What hardiness zone is 65793?
ZIP 65793 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 65793 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
65789 Pomona 65689 Cabool 65464 65548 Mountain View 65564 65768 65637 65589
Other ZIP codes in Howell County
65548 65688 65775 65777 65788 65789 65790 All Howell County frost dates · Missouri frost dates
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