FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
Kansas CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
St. LouisFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
SpringfieldFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
ColumbiaFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19
IndependenceFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
Lee's SummitFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
O'FallonFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
Saint JosephFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
Saint CharlesFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
Blue SpringsFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 14 – Apr 21
Saint PetersFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
FlorissantFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
JoplinFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
ChesterfieldFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jefferson CityFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
Cape GirardeauFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19
OakvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
WildwoodFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 19 – Apr 26
WentzvilleFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
University CityFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
BallwinFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
LibertyFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
RaytownFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
MehlvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
KirkwoodFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
Maryland HeightsFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
GladstoneFeb 7 – Feb 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
HazelwoodFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
GrandviewFeb 10 – Feb 24Apr 14 – Apr 21
Webster GrovesFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 90 Missouri cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Missouri cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 2 in Sikeston and as late as Apr 28 in Kirksville.

When is the last frost in Missouri?

The average last spring frost in Missouri ranges from March 26 in Sikeston to April 21 in Kirksville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Missouri

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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