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When to plant Rue in Cedar County County,

Cedar County County sits in cold Zone 6b. Plant Rue April 15–April 29 for the single annual harvest; the October 26 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Rue in Cedar County, MO

Cedar County, Missouri Zone 6b June

What to do in June

Each item below is timed to Cedar County, Missouri's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Pick rue

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: rue

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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.

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 1,062 feet, Cedar County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Cedar County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Cedar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Rue Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cedar County

How your county's soil matches Rue's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Rue's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Cedar County is excellent for Rue — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Rue.

How to Plant Rue

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Rue

3
successive plantings in your 201-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Rue Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Rue

Rue needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Rue Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cedar County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rue Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Rue needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline — Cedar County, MO

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

201 days in Cedar County

Growing Tips for Rue in Cedar County

Direct sow Rue outdoors after April 08 in Cedar County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Rue in Cedar County County, ?

In Cedar County County, , plant Rue after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cedar County County, for Rue?

Cedar County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Rue grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Rue grow in Cedar County County's climate?

Yes — Rue grows well in Cedar County County's temperate climate. Cedar County County averages a 201-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Cedar County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cedar County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cedar County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.