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When to plant Gladiolus in Oregon County, MO

Gladiolus planted in Oregon County between April 1 and April 22 matures in 70–100 days — well before the October 27 first frost.

When to Plant Gladiolus in Oregon County, MO

Oregon County, Missouri Zone 7a June

This month in Oregon County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Harvest gladiolus as they ripen

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

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: gladiolus

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Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) produce tall, stately spikes of trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich array of colors, making them one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. Each spike carries 12–20 florets that open in succession from bottom to top over 7–10 days. By planting corms every two weeks from last frost through early summer, gardeners create a continuous succession of fresh blooms from midsummer through fall. Corms multiply each season — a single planting becomes a growing collection over the years. Ideal for back-of- border planting, cutting gardens, and mixed summer containers.

Oregon County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,372 feet, Oregon County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Gladiolus during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Oregon County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Oregon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Gladiolus Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Nov 4

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 Oregon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.7) overlaps with Gladiolus's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Gladiolus

5"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Gladiolus

3
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.

Gladiolus Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 855 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Gladiolus

Gladiolus needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Gladiolus Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Gladiolus 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.

Gladiolus needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Gladiolus Planting Timeline — Oregon County, MO

Gladiolus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Bloom June 10 Jun 10 – Oct 14

Plant 5" deep · 5" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Oregon County

Growing Tips for Gladiolus in Oregon County

Direct sow Gladiolus outdoors after April 01 in Oregon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant corms 4–6 inches deep, pointed end up, as soon as soil reaches 60°F after last frost. Space 4–6 inches apart; rows 12 inches apart. Stake or grow through a support grid — tall varieties reach 4–5 feet and tip in wind. Begin succession plantings every 2 weeks through early July for continuous bloom. Water deeply once a week; mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut spikes for vases when the lowest floret just begins to open. After first killing frost (in cold zones), dig corms, let dry for 3–4 weeks in a ventilated spot, remove cormels, and store in mesh bags at 35–50°F. In zones 7b–8a, corms sometimes survive mild winters in ground with heavy mulch; in zones 8b+, in-ground overwintering is reliable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gladiolus in Oregon County, MO?

Oregon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Gladiolus planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oregon County, MO?

Oregon County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Gladiolus in Oregon County, MO?

In Oregon County, MO, plant Gladiolus after the last frost (around April 1) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Oregon County, MO for Gladiolus?

Oregon County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Gladiolus grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Gladiolus grow in Oregon County's climate?

Yes — Gladiolus grows well in Oregon County's temperate climate. Oregon County averages a 209-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 1 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Oregon County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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