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When to Plant Alpine Strawberries in Monroe County, MO

Alpine strawberries are small, intensely flavored wild-type strawberries that fruit continuously from spring to frost. They do not produce runners and make excellent edging plants.

Monroe County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,128 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 35.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Alpine Strawberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Monroe County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 30

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Alpine Strawberries needs ~1,654 GDD — county provides 2,327 GDD Excellent fit

Alpine Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, MO

Alpine Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Oct 20

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“180 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Monroe County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Unlike regular strawberries, alpines do not spread by runners. Harvest tiny, intensely aromatic berries frequently. Grow well in partial shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Alpine Strawberries in Monroe County, MO?

Monroe County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Alpine Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, MO?

Monroe County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Monroe County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.