When to plant Petunia in Scott County, MO
Plant Petunia in Scott County during the brief April 16–April 30 window. With 198 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 24.
When to Plant Petunia in Scott County, MO
What to do in June
Your garden in Scott County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: petunia
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Collect petunia at their peak
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
- First harvests: petunia
Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are warm-season tender annuals prized for their prolific, trumpet-shaped blooms in nearly every color. They perform from hanging baskets to garden borders and bloom continuously from late spring until frost, provided spent flowers are removed regularly.
Scott County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.
At an elevation of 880 feet, Scott County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Petunia during the growing season.
Scott County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.5-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Petunia 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 Scott County
How your county's soil matches Petunia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) overlaps with Petunia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Scott County is excellent for Petunia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Petunia.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Petunia.
How to Plant Petunia
Succession Planting Petunia
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.
Petunia Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Petunia
Petunia needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Petunia Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Scott County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Petunia 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.
Petunia Planting Timeline — Scott County, MO
Petunia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 12 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 16 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Bloom | June 25 | Jun 25 – Oct 15 |
· 12" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | — |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
198 days in Scott County
Growing Tips for Petunia in Scott County
Direct sow Petunia outdoors after April 09 in Scott County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Petunia 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 8–10 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press onto moist mix surface, do not cover. Transplant after last frost once nights stay above 50°F. Pinch back leggy plants mid-summer to encourage bushy re-bloom. Wave/spreading types tolerate light shade but bloom less. Feed every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer once established.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Petunia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Petunia in Scott County, MO?
Scott County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Petunia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Scott County, MO?
Scott County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 24.
When should I plant Petunia in Scott County, MO?
In Scott County, MO, plant Petunia after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Scott County, MO for Petunia?
Scott County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Petunia grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Petunia grow in Scott County's climate?
Yes — Petunia grows well in Scott County's temperate climate. Scott County averages a 198-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 24.
Your Scott County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Scott 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.