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When to plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, MO

For Lewis County, gardeners: plant Tomatoes April 22 through May 13 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, MO

Tomatoes

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.

Lewis County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 945 feet, Lewis County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Lewis County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Lewis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Lewis County's 185-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Lewis County, MO

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 – May 13
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Sep 9

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
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

185 days in Lewis County

Growing Tips for Lewis County

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 Lewis County, MO?

Lewis County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lewis County, MO?

Lewis County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Lewis County, MO?

In Lewis County, MO, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lewis County, MO for Tomatoes?

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

Can Tomatoes grow in Lewis County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Lewis County's temperate climate. Lewis County averages a 185-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Lewis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lewis 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 Lewis County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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