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When to Plant Asparagus in St. Louis County, MO

Asparagus is a long-lived perennial vegetable that produces tender spears each spring for 15-20 years once established. It requires patience but rewards with reliable harvests.

St. Louis County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 895 feet, St. Louis County receives approximately 40.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Asparagus during the growing season.

St. Louis County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

St. Louis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 228 gal / 100 sq ft
Asparagus needs ~13,231 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD May not mature

Asparagus Planting Timeline โ€” St. Louis County, MO

Asparagus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" 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

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for St. Louis County

Plant crowns in deep trenches with compost. Do not harvest spears for the first two years to allow root establishment. Mulch heavily to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Garlic
  • Onion

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Asparagus in St. Louis County, MO?

St. Louis County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Asparagus planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Louis County, MO?

St. Louis County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Louis County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 St. Louis County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.