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When to Plant Microgreens in St. Louis City, MO

Microgreens are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs harvested at the cotyledon or first true leaf stage. They pack concentrated flavors and nutrients in a tiny package.

St. Louis City, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 612 feet, St. Louis City receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Microgreens during the growing season.

St. Louis City, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

St. Louis City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – May 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 327 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Microgreens needs ~256 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Microgreens Planting Timeline โ€” St. Louis City, MO

Microgreens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 13

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 2" apart ยท Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

7โ€“21 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for St. Louis City

Sow seeds densely on shallow trays of moist growing medium. Cover until germination, then provide light. Harvest with scissors when 1-3 inches tall. Grow year-round indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Microgreens in St. Louis City, MO?

St. Louis City is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Microgreens planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Louis City, MO?

St. Louis City, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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