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When to Plant Strawberries in Taney County, MO

Taney County, Missouri Zone 7a May

Taney County, Missouri gardeners: here's your May plan

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Taney County, Missouri.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs

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Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Taney County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Taney County receives approximately 33 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season.

Taney County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Taney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Dec 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Dec 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Dec 24

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 Taney County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) is within Strawberries's preferred range (5.5–6.8).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Strawberries.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Taney County's 200-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 12 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

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

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Strawberries 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.

Strawberries needs ~3,811 GDD — county provides 3,350 GDD May not mature

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Taney County, MO

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Dec 10

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Taney County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Taney County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after April 09 in Taney County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 200.0-day growing season in Taney County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Taney County, MO?

Taney County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taney County, MO?

Taney County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Taney County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Taney 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 Taney 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.