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When to plant Gladiolus in Dunklin County County,

Plant Gladiolus in Dunklin County County from March 27 to April 17 in spring. Dunklin County County sits in USDA Zone 7b, with last frost around March 27 and first frost on November 2.

When to Plant Gladiolus in Dunklin County, MO

Dunklin County, Missouri Zone 7b June

Your June planting checklist for Dunklin County, Missouri

June is a pivotal month for Dunklin County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Start harvesting gladiolus

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: gladiolus

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Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) produce tall, stately spikes of trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich array of colors, making them one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. Each spike carries 12–20 florets that open in succession from bottom to top over 7–10 days. By planting corms every two weeks from last frost through early summer, gardeners create a continuous succession of fresh blooms from midsummer through fall. Corms multiply each season — a single planting becomes a growing collection over the years. Ideal for back-of- border planting, cutting gardens, and mixed summer containers.

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,344 feet, Dunklin County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Gladiolus during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Dunklin County, MO (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
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Dunklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Gladiolus Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🌸 Bloom: May 28 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🌸 Bloom: Jun 5 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jun 25 – Nov 12

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 Dunklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) overlaps with Gladiolus's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Gladiolus.

How to Plant Gladiolus

5"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Gladiolus

3
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Gladiolus Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 706 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Gladiolus

Gladiolus needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Gladiolus Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Gladiolus 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.

Gladiolus needs ~1,742 GDD — county provides 4,510 GDD Excellent fit

Gladiolus Planting Timeline — Dunklin County, MO

Gladiolus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Bloom June 5 Jun 5 – Oct 23

Plant 5" deep · 5" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Dunklin County

Growing Tips for Gladiolus in Dunklin County

Direct sow Gladiolus outdoors after March 27 in Dunklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant corms 4–6 inches deep, pointed end up, as soon as soil reaches 60°F after last frost. Space 4–6 inches apart; rows 12 inches apart. Stake or grow through a support grid — tall varieties reach 4–5 feet and tip in wind. Begin succession plantings every 2 weeks through early July for continuous bloom. Water deeply once a week; mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut spikes for vases when the lowest floret just begins to open. After first killing frost (in cold zones), dig corms, let dry for 3–4 weeks in a ventilated spot, remove cormels, and store in mesh bags at 35–50°F. In zones 7b–8a, corms sometimes survive mild winters in ground with heavy mulch; in zones 8b+, in-ground overwintering is reliable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gladiolus in Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Gladiolus planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

When should I plant Gladiolus in Dunklin County County, ?

In Dunklin County County, , plant Gladiolus after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dunklin County County, for Gladiolus?

Dunklin County County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Gladiolus grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Gladiolus grow in Dunklin County County's climate?

Yes — Gladiolus grows well in Dunklin County County's temperate climate. Dunklin County County averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Dunklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dunklin County (Zone 7b). 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 Dunklin County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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