When to Plant in St. Louis, MO

St. Louis sits at the crossroads of climates — hot, humid summers with temperatures often reaching 95–100°F and cold winters with occasional ice storms. Zone 6b gives you a last frost around April 7 and a first fall frost around October 29, for about 200 frost-free days.

Spring and fall are the sweet spots for St. Louis gardening. A fast spring pushes from cool to hot quickly, so get warm-season crops in promptly after April 7. Fall is often excellent with warm days and cool nights through October. Summer heat requires heat-tolerant varieties and consistent watering.

What to plant now in St. Louis

Spring: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers, and corn after last frost around April 7.
Early Spring (Mar–Apr): Cold-hardy crops — peas, lettuce, spinach, and broccoli transplants.
Fall: Excellent season — broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, spinach, and fall beans.
Winter: Garlic overwintering, cover crops, and seed starting beginning in February.

In St. Louis (205 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in St. Louis

Month	What to do
January	Order seeds. Start onion seeds indoors late in the month.
February	Start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. Direct sow spinach under cold frames.
March	Direct sow peas, lettuce, and spinach. Transplant cold-hardy seedlings.
April	After April 7 last frost — transplant tomatoes and peppers. Direct sow beans and squash.
May	Full warm-season garden underway. Plant cucumbers, corn, and sweet potatoes.
June	Summer heat building. Water deeply and mulch. Watch for Japanese beetles.
July	Peak summer heat. Start fall seedlings indoors. Harvest summer crops.
August	Plant fall broccoli, kale, and cabbage transplants. Direct sow carrots and beets.
September	Plant fall lettuce and spinach. Excellent growing conditions.
October	Fall garden producing well. Plant garlic. First frost around October 29.
November	Harvest remaining crops. Protect cold-hardy greens with row cover.
December	Garden rests. Plan next year's layout and seed order.

Frost dates for St. Louis ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone

FAQ

When is the last frost date in St. Louis, MO?

St. Louis's average last frost date is around April 7. Start warm-season seeds indoors in mid-February and transplant outdoors after the first week of April.

What vegetables grow best in St. Louis?

Tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and cucumbers thrive in spring. Fall is excellent for broccoli, kale, lettuce, carrots, and spinach. Cool-season crops do well in both spring and fall.

How do I handle St. Louis's summer heat and humidity?

Mulch heavily, water at the base of plants in the morning, and choose heat-tolerant varieties. Summer is also prime time for okra, sweet potatoes, and southern peas.

Is fall gardening good in St. Louis?

Yes — fall is often the best season. Plant brassicas in August for September–November harvests. The warm days and cool nights produce outstanding crops of kale, broccoli, and lettuce.

How does Plan My Garden help St. Louis gardeners?

Enter your St. Louis zip code and we'll generate a full week-by-week planting schedule for every crop — built around your exact frost dates.