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When to plant Tomatoes in Henry County, MO

Henry County's climate puts the Tomatoes spring window between April 21 and May 12. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Henry County, MO

Tomatoes
Henry County, Missouri Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Henry County, Missouri

Your garden in Henry County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Get tomatoes seeds going inside

    You're about 18 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Collect tomatoes at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: tomatoes

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Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Henry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,388 feet, Henry County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Henry County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Tomatoes Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Henry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Tomatoes's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatoes.

How to Plant Tomatoes

0.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatoes

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

Tomatoes Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 604 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes

Tomatoes needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tomatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.2" 3.7" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 5.2" 5.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 5" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 4.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.2" 4.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 3.7" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.2" 3.2" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Tomatoes 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.

Tomatoes needs ~997 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Henry County, MO

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Sep 8

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Henry County

Growing Tips for Tomatoes in Henry County

Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after April 14 in Henry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Tomatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Henry County, MO?

Henry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, MO?

Henry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Henry County, MO?

In Henry County, MO, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Henry County, MO for Tomatoes?

Henry County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Henry County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Henry County's temperate climate. Henry County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Henry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Henry 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 Henry 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.