Blog

When to plant Lovage in Gentry County, MO

Gentry County's 179-day season only supports one Lovage planting per year. Sow between April 26 and May 10 for the best chance at full maturity before October 15.

When to Plant Lovage in Gentry County, MO

Gentry County, Missouri Zone 6a July

Your July game plan for Gentry County, Missouri

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

Avg. last frost April 19
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting lovage

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

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: lovage

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Lovage is a large perennial herb with a celery-like flavor that can grow 4-6 feet tall. All parts are edible including the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots.

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 702 feet, Gentry County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lovage during the growing season.

Gentry County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Gentry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Lovage Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 20

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 Gentry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Lovage's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Lovage.

How to Plant Lovage

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

Succession Planting Lovage

2
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

Lovage Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 53 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Lovage

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

Month Lovage Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lovage 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.

Lovage needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Lovage Planting Timeline — Gentry County, MO

Lovage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 – Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Gentry County

Growing Tips for Lovage in Gentry County

Direct sow Lovage outdoors after April 19 in Gentry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Lovage in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. One plant is usually enough for a family. Harvest outer stems and leaves as needed. Divide clumps every 3-4 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lovage in Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Lovage planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gentry County, MO?

Gentry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

When should I plant Lovage in Gentry County, MO?

In Gentry County, MO, plant Lovage after the last frost (around April 19) and before the first frost (around October 15). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Gentry County, MO for Lovage?

Gentry County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Lovage grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lovage grow in Gentry County's climate?

Yes — Lovage grows well in Gentry County's temperate climate. Gentry County averages a 179-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 19 and first frost around October 15.

🌱

Your Gentry County Garden Planner — Free

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Gentry County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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