Blog

When to plant Epazote in Jackson County, MO

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Epazote between April 19 (after last frost on April 12) and May 10.

When to Plant Epazote in Jackson County, MO

Jackson County, Missouri Zone 6b June

This month in Jackson County, Missouri

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jackson County, Missouri this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting epazote

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

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: epazote

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Epazote is a pungent Mexican herb traditionally cooked with black beans to reduce their gas-causing properties. It has a strong, unique flavor that is an acquired taste.

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 563 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season.

Jackson County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Epazote Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) is more acidic than Epazote prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Epazote

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

Succession Planting Epazote

5
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.

Epazote Water Budget

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

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Epazote

Epazote 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 Epazote Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Epazote 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.

Epazote needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Epazote Planting Timeline — Jackson County, MO

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 9

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" 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
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Epazote in Jackson County

Direct sow Epazote outdoors after April 12 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 197.0-day season in Jackson County allows multiple plantings of Epazote. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Epazote grows easily and self-sows aggressively. Use sparingly in cooking as the flavor is very strong. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Epazote in Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MO?

Jackson County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Epazote in Jackson County, MO?

In Jackson County, MO, plant Epazote after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, MO for Epazote?

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Epazote grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Epazote grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Epazote grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson 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.

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 Jackson 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.