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When to plant Pansy in Perry County, MO

Perry County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Plant Pansy between April 10 (after last frost on April 10) and April 24. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in Perry County, MO

Perry County, Missouri Zone 7a July

What to do in July

Each item below is timed to Perry County, Missouri's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Pick pansy

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: pansy
  • Fall sowing: pansy

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 695 feet, Perry County receives approximately 36.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Pansy during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Perry County, MO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Apr 5 🌸 Bloom: May 31 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 5 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Aug 28

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 Perry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) overlaps with Pansy's range (5.4–6.2), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Pansy.

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

3
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 12.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 377 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

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

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pansy 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.

Pansy needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Perry County, MO

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Bloom June 5 Jun 5 – Aug 14
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Fall Sowing Bloom
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Perry County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Perry County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after April 10 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in Perry County, MO?

Perry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, MO?

Perry County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Pansy in Perry County, MO?

In Perry County, MO, plant Pansy after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Perry County, MO for Pansy?

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

Can Pansy grow in Perry County's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Perry County's temperate climate. Perry County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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