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When to Plant Aronia in Linn 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.

Linn County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Linn County receives approximately 32.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Aronia during the growing season.

Linn County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Linn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 21

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 533 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Aronia needs ~12,547 GDD — county provides 2,557 GDD May not mature

Aronia Planting Timeline โ€” Linn County, MO

Aronia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22

ยท 48" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Linn 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 Linn County, MO?

Linn County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Aronia planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Linn County, MO?

Linn County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Linn 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 Linn County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.