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When to Plant Goji Berries in Macon 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.

Macon County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 974 feet, Macon County receives approximately 37.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Goji Berries to ensure they mature before fall.

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

Macon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 3
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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Goji Berries needs ~11,178 GDD — county provides 2,241 GDD May not mature

Goji Berries Planting Timeline โ€” Macon County, MO

Goji Berries 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

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Macon 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 Macon County, MO?

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

What planting zone is Macon County, MO?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Macon County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.