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When to Plant Rue in Webster County, MO

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Webster County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Webster County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 10

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rue needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,249 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Webster County, MO

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Webster County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Webster County, MO?

Webster County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, MO?

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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