FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Missouri

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then sow outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 29, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Kansas CityMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
St. LouisMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
SpringfieldMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
ColumbiaMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
IndependenceMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Lee's SummitMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
O'FallonMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
Saint JosephMar 29 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
Saint CharlesMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
Blue SpringsMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 28Apr 14 – Apr 21
Saint PetersMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
FlorissantMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
JoplinMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
ChesterfieldMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
Jefferson CityMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
Cape GirardeauMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19
OakvilleMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
WildwoodMar 22 – Mar 29Apr 19 – May 3Apr 19 – Apr 26
WentzvilleMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
University CityMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
BallwinMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
LibertyMar 29 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
RaytownMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
MehlvilleMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
KirkwoodMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
Maryland HeightsMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
GladstoneMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 25Apr 11 – Apr 18
HazelwoodMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
GrandviewMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 28Apr 14 – Apr 21
Webster GrovesMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 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 zucchini in Missouri?

In a typical Missouri location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Mar 25, then sow outdoors Apr 15 – Apr 29, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Missouri

When to plant zucchini in other states

Related Guides