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When to plant Fennel in Jasper County, MO

Jasper County's spring Fennel window runs April 16 through May 7. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F.

When to Plant Fennel in Jasper County, MO

Jasper County, Missouri Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Jasper County, Missouri

A quick June briefing for Jasper County, Missouri gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Harvest fennel as they ripen

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: fennel

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Florence fennel is grown for its swollen bulb-like stem base, which has a mild anise flavor. It is crisp raw in salads and sweet when roasted or braised.

Jasper County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,156 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 30.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Fennel during the growing season.

Jasper County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Jasper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Fennel Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 18

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 Jasper County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) is within Fennel's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Fennel

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Fennel

3
successive plantings in your 200-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Fennel Water Budget

Plant needs
0.6″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 Fennel

Fennel needs approximately 0.6 inches of water per week (2.6" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Fennel Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.6" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.6" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.6" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.6" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.6" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.6" 2.5" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.6" 2.4" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Fennel 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.

Fennel needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,900 GDD Excellent fit

Fennel Planting Timeline — Jasper County, MO

Fennel Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Aug 6

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" 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

0.6"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Jasper County

Growing Tips for Fennel in Jasper County

Direct sow Fennel outdoors after April 09 in Jasper County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow in late summer for fall harvest to reduce bolting. Hill soil around bulbs as they enlarge. Harvest when bulbs are tennis-ball sized before they elongate.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Beans

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Fennel in Jasper County, MO?

Jasper County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Fennel planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jasper County, MO?

Jasper County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Fennel in Jasper County, MO?

In Jasper County, MO, plant Fennel after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jasper County, MO for Fennel?

Jasper County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Fennel grows reliably in zones 4a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Fennel grow in Jasper County's climate?

Yes — Fennel grows well in Jasper County's temperate climate. Jasper County averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Jasper County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jasper County (Zone 7a). 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 Jasper 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.