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When to Plant Goji Berries in Putnam 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.

Putnam County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 1,185 feet, Putnam County receives approximately 40.1 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.

Putnam County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Putnam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 24

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 2,217 GDD May not mature

Goji Berries Planting Timeline โ€” Putnam County, MO

Goji Berries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23

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

181 days

Growing Tips for Putnam 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 Putnam County, MO?

Putnam County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Goji Berries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Putnam County, MO?

Putnam County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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