When to Plant Tomatoes in New Madrid County, MO
Top priorities for New Madrid County, Missouri gardeners in May
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in New Madrid County, Missouri.
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Get tomatoes seeds going inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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.
New Madrid County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.
At an elevation of 881 feet, New Madrid County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.
New Madrid County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant 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 New Madrid County
How your county's soil matches Tomatoes's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Tomatoes's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in New Madrid County is excellent for Tomatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatoes.
How to Plant Tomatoes
Succession Planting Tomatoes
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 5.2" | 2.8" | 2.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 5.2" | 4.2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 5.2" | 4.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 5.2" | 4.9" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 5.2" | 4.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 5.2" | 4.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 5.2" | 3.4" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 5.2" | 2.8" | 2.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 5.2" | 2.6" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in New Madrid 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 Planting Timeline — New Madrid County, MO
Tomatoes Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 9 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Direct Sow | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 27 |
| Harvest | June 15 | Jun 15 – Aug 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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 7b
📆 Growing Season
217 days in New Madrid County
Growing Tips for Tomatoes in New Madrid County
Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after March 30 in New Madrid 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.
Tomatoes in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tomatoes in New Madrid County, MO?
New Madrid County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is New Madrid County, MO?
New Madrid County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 2.
Your New Madrid County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for New Madrid County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.