When to Plant Tomatoes in Missouri
In Missouri, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 8 – Apr 22 in St. Louis to Apr 26 – May 10 in St. Joseph. In Kansas City, it's Apr 11 – Apr 25. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Missouri by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Ballwin | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Belton | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Blue Springs | 6b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Cape Girardeau | 7a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Chesterfield | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Columbia | 6b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Creve Coeur | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Farmington | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Florissant | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Gladstone | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Grandview | 6b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Hazelwood | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Independence | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Jefferson City | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Joplin | 7a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Kansas City | 6b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Kirkwood | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Lake St. Louis | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Lee's Summit | 6b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Liberty | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Maryland Heights | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Nixa | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| O'Fallon | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Ozark | 6b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Raymore | 6b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Raytown | 6b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Republic | 6b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Rolla | 6b | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Sedalia | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Springfield | 7a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| St. Charles | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| St. Joseph | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| St. Louis | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| St. Peters | 6b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| University City | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Warrensburg | 6b | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Webster Groves | 7a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Wentzville | 6b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Wildwood | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
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 tomatoes.
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