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When to Plant Epazote in Webster County, MO

Webster County, Missouri Zone 6b May

This month in Webster County, Missouri

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

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Start epazote under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 11). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: epazote

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Epazote is a pungent Mexican herb traditionally cooked with black beans to reduce their gas-causing properties. It has a strong, unique flavor that is an acquired taste.

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,274 feet, Webster County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season.

Webster County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Epazote's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Epazote prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Epazote.

How to Plant Epazote

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Epazote

5
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Epazote

Epazote needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Epazote Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Epazote 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.

Epazote needs ~879 GDD — county provides 3,249 GDD Excellent fit

Epazote Planting Timeline — Webster County, MO

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 8

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Epazote in Webster County

Direct sow Epazote outdoors after April 11 in Webster County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 194.0-day season in Webster County allows multiple plantings of Epazote. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Epazote grows easily and self-sows aggressively. Use sparingly in cooking as the flavor is very strong. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Epazote in Webster County, MO?

Webster County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, MO?

Webster County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster 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 Webster 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.