Planting calendar for Kansas City, Missouri

Dates from 30 years of records at the Kansas City Downtown Airport weather station, 1.8 miles from Kansas City, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Kansas City at a glance

Weather station: Kansas City Downtown Airport · 1.8 mi
USDA zone: 6b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 4; 1 year in 10 after Apr 20
First fall frost: typically Nov 2; 1 year in 10 before Oct 21
Frost-free season: about 212 days
Hottest month: July: highs 90°F, nights 72°F
Coldest month: January: highs 40°F, nights 22°F
Rain: 38 in. a year, most in May, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Kansas City typically comes around Apr 4, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 20. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 2. That leaves about 212 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Kansas City gets about 38 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and August.

159 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 15 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Kansas City, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Stock

February11

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Fava bean, Kale, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March64

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

April57

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Lemon verbena, Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May33

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Parsnip, Peanut, Purslane, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Culantro, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Thyme, Winter savory, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower, Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

June28

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Caraway, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Celosia, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Cabbage, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July42

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Caraway, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Purslane, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (early / short-season), Borage, Chamomile, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Nasturtium, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Pansy / viola, Stock

August41

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Calendula, Marigold, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Chervil, Fenugreek (methi), Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Chervil

October3

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic, Radish

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Kansas City

159 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 30–May 14, Aug 15–Sep 4	May 15–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 14–Aug 3	May 2–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 21–27	—	Jan 17–23	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 6–Apr 11, Sep 4–25	Feb 21–Mar 5, Apr 12–21, Jul 31–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 7–Apr 4	Apr 5–May 2	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 28–Aug 18	May 2–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Apr 17–May 1, Jun 23–Jul 14	May 2–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 29–Jul 19	May 15–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 18–Aug 8	May 2–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 7–28, Aug 13–Sep 3	Mar 29–Apr 25, Jul 9–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 2–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 21–Apr 4	Apr 5–10, Aug 20–27	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 7–21, Aug 12–26	Mar 22–Apr 9	Jan 24–Feb 7, Jul 1–15	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 7–Apr 1	Apr 2–11, Aug 12–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 7–13	—	Jan 24–30	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 28–Mar 14, Jul 29–Aug 14	Mar 15–Apr 10	Jan 17–31, Jun 17–Jul 3	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 13–27	May 28–Jun 20	Mar 11–25	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 3–24	Apr 5–18, Jul 1–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–Apr 14	Jan 31–Feb 14	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	May 10–24, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 25–Jun 18	Feb 22–Mar 8, Apr 3–24	Set out plants
Celery	May 24–Jun 7, Jun 15–Jul 6	Jun 8–14	Mar 8–22, Mar 30–Apr 20	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Mar 18–Apr 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 11–31	Apr 5–26, Jun 28–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 7–21, Aug 17–Sep 7	Mar 22–May 3, Jun 9–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 21–Aug 11	May 2–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 2–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 14–28, Aug 20–Sep 3	Mar 29–Apr 8	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 1–21	May 15–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 4–24	May 15–Jul 3	Feb 26–Mar 12, May 2–22	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 12–Nov 16	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 21–Mar 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 21–30	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 23–Apr 21, Sep 13–29	Mar 21–22, Apr 22–May 7, Aug 16–Sep 12	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 12–Nov 16	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 4–30	May 15–Jun 3, Jul 1–7	Apr 16–May 12	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 21–Mar 14, Aug 30–Sep 19	Mar 15–Apr 25, Jul 8–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 7–21, Aug 21–Sep 10	Mar 22–Apr 30, Jul 29–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Aug 16–Sep 18	Apr 4–18, Jul 13–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 7–19, Jul 8–29	May 24–Jul 7	Jan 3–15, May 6–27	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 7–Apr 5, Sep 2–15	Apr 6–14, Jul 29–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 14–31	Apr 1–3, Aug 12–29	Feb 7–24	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	May 15–29	May 30–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 7–Apr 1, Sep 4–27	—	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 10	Mar 27–Apr 10	Set out plants
Moringa	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 4–Apr 5, Sep 7–23	Feb 21–Mar 3, Apr 6–17, Aug 12–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 21–30, Jul 29–Aug 24	—	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 2–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 10	—	Set out plants
Okra	May 15–29, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 30–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 21–Mar 27, Jun 8–Jul 9	Mar 28–Jun 7, Jul 10–20	Mar 23–Apr 23, Dec 6–Jan 9	Set out plants
Parsnip	May 21–Jun 11	Jun 12–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 21–Mar 7, Aug 12–31	Mar 8–Apr 14	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 21–Mar 7, Aug 12–31	Mar 8–Apr 12	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	May 15–28	—	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 22–May 6, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 7–Jun 25	Feb 18–Mar 4, Apr 24–May 15	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Apr 18–May 2, Jul 6–27	May 3–Jul 5	Feb 14–28, May 4–25	Set out plants
Popcorn	Apr 17–24	Apr 25–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Mar 13–27, Jun 18–Jul 8	Mar 7–12, Mar 28–Apr 10, Jun 4–17, Jul 9–16	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Apr 17–May 1, Jun 1–22	May 2–31	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 27–Aug 17	May 15–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 7–14	Mar 15–24	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 13–Apr 17, Sep 13–Oct 7	Feb 28–Mar 12, Apr 18–May 4, Aug 13–Sep 12	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 7–27	—	—	Set out plants
Salsify	May 4–25, May 30–Jun 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	May 15–Jun 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 21–Mar 7, Jul 13–Aug 3	Mar 8–Apr 16, May 20–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	May 15–29, Jul 1–22	May 30–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 21–Mar 23, Sep 15–Oct 2	Mar 24–Apr 14, Aug 20–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 2–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 26–Apr 16	Mar 14–25, Apr 17–25	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Apr 17–24, Jul 6–26	Apr 25–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 3–22	May 15–Jun 2	Apr 15–May 4	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 14–Apr 4, Aug 18–Sep 8	Apr 5–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Apr 17–May 1	May 2–Jul 24	Mar 6–20	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 21–Aug 10	May 2–Jul 20	Feb 27–Mar 13, Jun 2–22	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 11–18, Jul 26–Aug 15	Apr 19–Jul 25	Feb 21–28, Jun 7–27	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 8–29	May 15–Jul 7	Mar 12–26, May 20–Jun 10	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 8–29	May 2–Jul 7	Feb 27–Mar 13, May 20–Jun 10	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Apr 17–May 1, Jul 6–26	May 2–Jul 5	Feb 27–Mar 13, May 18–Jun 7	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 7–21, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 22–Apr 30, Jul 29–Aug 22	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 14–28	Mar 29–May 7	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	May 15–29	May 30–Jun 22	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 1–22	May 15–31	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Apr 17–May 1, Jun 11–Jul 2	May 2–Jun 10	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	May 15–29, Jul 6–27	May 30–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 4–30	May 1–30	Feb 18–Mar 16	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 30–May 7, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 8–Jul 18	Mar 26–Apr 2, Jun 14–Jul 4	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 4–27	Apr 28–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 9	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 28–Apr 23, Jul 28–Aug 25	Apr 24–May 13, Jun 22–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 14–28, Jul 24–Aug 14	Mar 29–Apr 9, Jun 18–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	Jan 31–Feb 21	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 7–21, Aug 8–29	Mar 22–Apr 20, Jul 1–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 14–31	Apr 1–10, Aug 20–Sep 13	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 4–26	Apr 27–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 8	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 21–Apr 6, Aug 12–Sep 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	—	Set out plants
Culantro	May 15–29	May 30–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 21–28, Aug 9–30	Mar 29–May 2, Jul 17–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Apr 17–May 1, Aug 2–23	May 2–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 4–20, Aug 26–Sep 11	Apr 21–24, Jul 28–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 28–Apr 12	Apr 13–27	Feb 7–22	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 4–28	Apr 29–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 10	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 11–May 30	—	Jan 24–Mar 14	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	Feb 14–Mar 7	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Apr 28–May 15	Apr 11–27, May 16–30	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 3–30	May 15–Jun 2, Jul 1–9	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 21–Apr 7	—	Jan 31–Feb 17	Set out plants
Marjoram	Apr 13–May 2	Apr 11–12, May 3–30	Feb 23–Mar 14	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 21–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 2	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 4–27	Apr 28–May 30	Feb 14–Mar 9	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 14–28, Jul 24–Aug 14	Mar 29–Apr 27, May 31–Jul 23	Jan 10–24, May 22–Jun 12	Set out plants
Rosemary	Apr 11–24	Apr 25–May 30	Jan 24–Feb 6	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 28–Apr 25	Apr 26–May 23	Feb 7–Mar 7	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Apr 17–24	Apr 25–Aug 5	Mar 13–20	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 14–Apr 10	Apr 11–May 7	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 4–18	Apr 19–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 4–17	Apr 18–May 1	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Apr 4–22	Apr 23–May 30	Feb 7–25	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	May 15–Jun 12	Apr 17–May 14	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 14–Mar 14	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 28–Mar 21	Mar 22–May 2	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 22–Mar 14	Mar 15–May 10	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 24–Jul 14	May 15–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 17–May 1	May 2–Jul 29	Mar 13–27	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 14–Apr 11	Apr 12–May 23	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 7–Apr 4	Apr 5–18	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 17–May 1	May 2–Aug 3	Feb 27–Mar 13	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 7–21	Mar 22–Apr 4	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 7–Apr 3	Apr 4–May 1	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 15–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 19–Aug 14	Apr 17–Jun 18, Aug 15–23	Apr 10–Jun 5	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 7–26	Mar 27–Apr 6, Aug 12–26	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 2–Jul 26	Apr 4–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 21–Apr 13, Aug 15–Sep 10	Apr 14–28, Jul 11–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 7–26	Mar 27–Apr 6, Aug 12–26	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 15–22, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 23–Jun 25	Mar 27–Apr 3, May 8–29	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 27–Jul 15	Apr 17–May 26, Jul 16–24	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 7–22	Mar 23–Apr 7	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 1–Jul 18	Apr 30–May 31, Jul 19–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 30–Jul 16	Apr 30–May 29, Jul 17–Aug 3	Apr 11–May 28	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 21–Mar 12	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 18–Aug 12	Apr 17–Jun 17, Aug 13–18	Apr 30–Jun 24	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Feb 28–Mar 28	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 8–21, Aug 7–23	Apr 4–7, Apr 22–30, Jul 13–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 21–Mar 14, Sep 5–25	Mar 15–Apr 14, Aug 28–Sep 4	Jun 20–Jul 10, Dec 6–27	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 13–Aug 2	May 15–Jun 12, Aug 3–24	Apr 11–May 31	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 4–May 2	May 3–30	Jan 17–Feb 14	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 4–18, Jul 25–Aug 15	Apr 19–May 7, Jun 14–Jul 24	Jan 31–Feb 14, May 23–Jun 13	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 21–Apr 4, Aug 23–Sep 13	Apr 5–14, Aug 20–22	Jan 17–31, Jun 21–Jul 12	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 4–18, Aug 2–22	Apr 19–May 12, Jun 21–Aug 1	Feb 14–28, Jun 14–Jul 4	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 3–Jul 19	Apr 17–Jun 2	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 14–Apr 12, Aug 19–Sep 12	Apr 13–30, Jul 13–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 21–Mar 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 2–Jul 20	Apr 30–Jun 1, Jul 21–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Kansas City

These need a climate Kansas City doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 22°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 212 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Omaha, NE 165 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Wichita, KS 178 mi · last frost around Apr 11
Des Moines, IA 180 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Oklahoma City, OK 298 mi · last frost around Apr 4
Little Rock, AR 326 mi · last frost around Mar 21
All Missouri cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Kansas City Downtown Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).