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When to Plant Goji Berries in Clay County, MO

Goji berries are a deciduous shrub producing small, bright red berries valued as a superfood. The plants are extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established.

Clay 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 1,373 feet, Clay County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Goji Berries during the growing season.

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

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 19

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Goji Berries needs ~14,600 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD May not mature

Goji Berries Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, MO

Goji Berries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18

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

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Clay County

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Prune annually to manage the arching, somewhat wild growth habit. Berries ripen over an extended period in summer and fall. Can be trellised.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Goji Berries in Clay County, MO?

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

What planting zone is Clay County, MO?

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

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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