When to plant Geraniums in Lafayette County, MO
Lafayette County's 194-day season only supports one Geraniums planting per year. Sow between April 20 and May 4 for the best chance at full maturity before October 24.
When to Plant Geraniums in Lafayette County, MO
This month in Lafayette County, Missouri
Your Lafayette County, Missouri garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.
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Start geraniums indoors
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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Harvest geraniums as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: geraniums
Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.
Lafayette County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.
At an elevation of 732 feet, Lafayette County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season.
Lafayette County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Geraniums Planting Risk Windows
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 Lafayette County
How your county's soil matches Geraniums's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Geraniums's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lafayette County is excellent for Geraniums — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Geraniums.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Geraniums.
How to Plant Geraniums
Succession Planting Geraniums
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.
Geraniums Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Geraniums
Geraniums needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Geraniums Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lafayette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Geraniums 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.
Geraniums Planting Timeline — Lafayette County, MO
Geraniums Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 2 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Bloom | June 29 | Jun 29 – Oct 5 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
194 days in Lafayette County
Growing Tips for Geraniums in Lafayette County
Direct sow Geraniums outdoors after April 13 in Lafayette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Geraniums in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Geraniums in Lafayette County, MO?
Lafayette County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Geraniums planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lafayette County, MO?
Lafayette County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.
When should I plant Geraniums in Lafayette County, MO?
In Lafayette County, MO, plant Geraniums after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Lafayette County, MO for Geraniums?
Lafayette County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Geraniums grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Geraniums grow in Lafayette County's climate?
Yes — Geraniums grows well in Lafayette County's temperate climate. Lafayette County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 24.
Your Lafayette County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Lafayette 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.