When to Plant Potatoes in Missouri

In Missouri, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 11 – Mar 25 in St. Louis to Mar 29 – Apr 12 in St. Joseph. In Kansas City, it's Mar 14 – Mar 28. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 1 in St. Louis, Apr 19 in St. Joseph), so use the dates for the town nearest you.

Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.

Potatoes planting dates in Missouri by city

CityZonePlant outside
Arnold7aMar 19 – Apr 2
Ballwin7aMar 14 – Mar 28
Belton6bMar 23 – Apr 6
Blue Springs6bMar 17 – Mar 31
Cape Girardeau7aMar 15 – Mar 29
Chesterfield7aMar 14 – Mar 28
Columbia6bMar 15 – Mar 29
Creve Coeur7aMar 14 – Mar 28
Farmington6bMar 23 – Apr 6
Florissant7aMar 12 – Mar 26
Gladstone6bMar 14 – Mar 28
Grandview6bMar 17 – Mar 31
Hazelwood7aMar 12 – Mar 26
Independence6bMar 20 – Apr 3
Jefferson City6bMar 18 – Apr 1
Joplin7aMar 19 – Apr 2
Kansas City6bMar 14 – Mar 28
Kirkwood7aMar 11 – Mar 25
Lake St. Louis6bMar 20 – Apr 3
Lee's Summit6bMar 17 – Mar 31
Liberty6aMar 29 – Apr 12
Maryland Heights7aMar 14 – Mar 28
Nixa6bMar 25 – Apr 8
O'Fallon6bMar 20 – Apr 3
Ozark6bMar 25 – Apr 8
Raymore6bMar 23 – Apr 6
Raytown6bMar 17 – Mar 31
Republic6bMar 19 – Apr 2
Rolla6bMar 15 – Mar 29
Sedalia6bMar 28 – Apr 11
Springfield7aMar 14 – Mar 28
St. Charles6bMar 18 – Apr 1
St. Joseph6aMar 29 – Apr 12
St. Louis7aMar 11 – Mar 25
St. Peters6bMar 19 – Apr 2
University City7aMar 11 – Mar 25
Warrensburg6bMar 24 – Apr 7
Webster Groves7aMar 11 – Mar 25
Wentzville6bMar 20 – Apr 3
Wildwood7aMar 22 – Apr 5

Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

See all frost dates in Missouri, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.

Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.

Other crops in Missouri

TomatoesPeppersSweet CornOnionsGarlic

Potatoes in other states

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