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When to Plant Blueberries in Reynolds County, MO

Reynolds County, Missouri Zone 6b May

This month in Reynolds County, Missouri

Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Transplant blueberries outside

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

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Blueberries are long-lived shrubs producing sweet, antioxidant-rich berries. They require acidic soil and are attractive ornamental plants with fall color and spring flowers.

Reynolds County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 634 feet, Reynolds County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Blueberries during the growing season.

Reynolds County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24
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Reynolds County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 15

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 Reynolds County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) is more alkaline than Blueberries prefers (4.5–5.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Blueberries.

How to Plant Blueberries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

How Much Blueberries to Grow

5-10 lbs
Average yield per plant
2
Plants per person
48 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 8 blueberries plants in about 192 sq ft. In Reynolds County's 197-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 822 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Blueberries

Blueberries 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 Blueberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 5.2" 3.5" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 5.2" 3.6" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 4.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 3.5" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 5.2" 3.9" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 3.1" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.2" 2.4" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Blueberries 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.

Blueberries needs ~16,653 GDD — county provides 3,595 GDD May not mature

Blueberries Planting Timeline — Reynolds County, MO

Blueberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 4.5–5.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Reynolds County

Growing Tips for Blueberries in Reynolds County

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

Your 197.0-day growing season in Reynolds County is tight for Blueberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Acidify soil with sulfur or pine needle mulch to maintain pH 4.5-5.5. Protect ripening berries from birds with netting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Blueberries in Reynolds County, MO?

Reynolds County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Blueberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reynolds County, MO?

Reynolds County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Reynolds County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Reynolds 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.

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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 Reynolds County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.