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When to Plant Aronia in Cedar County, MO

Aronia (chokeberry) is an extremely hardy native shrub producing astringent dark berries rich in antioxidants. The berries are typically processed into juice, jam, or wine.

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 1,062 feet, Cedar County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Aronia during the growing season.

Cedar County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Cedar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 10

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 585 gal / 100 sq ft
Aronia needs ~13,231 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD May not mature

Aronia Planting Timeline โ€” Cedar County, MO

Aronia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Cedar County

Plant in full sun for best fruiting. Very adaptable to soil types. Minimal pest and disease problems. Harvest berries in fall when fully black. Suckers can be divided for propagation.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Aronia in Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Aronia planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cedar County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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