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When to Plant Lingonberries in Scotland County, MO

Lingonberries are low-growing evergreen shrubs producing small, tart red berries used in Scandinavian cuisine. They thrive in acidic soil and cold climates.

Scotland County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 755 feet, Scotland County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lingonberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Scotland County, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Scotland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 10
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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lingonberries needs ~11,178 GDD — county provides 2,205 GDD May not mature

Lingonberries Planting Timeline โ€” Scotland County, MO

Lingonberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24

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

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

4.5 โ€“ 5.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Scotland County

Amend soil with peat and pine needle mulch for acidity. Plant 12 inches apart as a ground cover. Berries ripen in late summer. Requires minimal pruning.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lingonberries in Scotland County, MO?

Scotland County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Lingonberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scotland County, MO?

Scotland County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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