Blog

When to plant Tomatoes in Stone County County,

Stone County County gardeners should plant Tomatoes between April 23 and May 14 in spring. With Stone County County's Zone 7a climate (last frost April 16), Tomatoes needs 85 days to mature — plant by July 27 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Stone County, MO

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.

Stone County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,310 feet, Stone County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Stone County, MO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Stone County's 187-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes

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

Month Tomatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Stone County, MO

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Sep 10

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Stone County

Growing Tips for Stone County

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

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Stone County, MO?

Stone County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, MO?

Stone County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Stone County County, ?

In Stone County County, , plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stone County County, for Tomatoes?

Stone County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Stone County County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Stone County County's temperate climate. Stone County County averages a 187-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Stone County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stone 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stone County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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