Missouri’s ever-changing climate can be a challenge for gardeners, but some vegetables rise to it beautifully. These 14 choices are tough enough to thrive in all four seasons.
I’ve planted many of them myself and always come back for more. Add them to your garden for a reliable, year-round harvest.
1. Tomatoes
Summer heat in Missouri creates the perfect environment for juicy tomatoes to thrive. Plant after the last frost date for best results.
Many Missouri gardeners find that cherry varieties offer the most reliable harvests. Water deeply and add mulch to retain moisture during those scorching July days.
2. Peppers
Hot or sweet, peppers love Missouri’s warm growing season and produce abundantly from early summer until fall frost. They prefer well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
Across Missouri, both bell and hot varieties perform exceptionally well when planted in sunny spots. Adding calcium to the soil helps prevent blossom end rot.
3. Lettuce
Early spring and fall are perfect for growing crisp lettuce in the Show-Me State. Cool weather produces the sweetest leaves without bitter taste.
Missouri gardeners often succession plant lettuce every two weeks for continuous harvests. Providing afternoon shade during late spring extends the growing season before summer heat arrives.
4. Kale
Surprisingly frost-tolerant, kale actually tastes sweeter after light freezes hit Missouri gardens. Plant in early spring or late summer for best results.
Many Missouri gardeners harvest kale well into December with minimal protection. Its deeply ruffled leaves come in beautiful purple, blue, and green varieties that add visual interest to any garden.
5. Carrots
Sandy loam soils across Missouri produce the straightest, sweetest carrots. Plant seeds directly in early spring or late summer for fall harvest.
Missouri’s clay soils can be amended with compost for better root development. Choose shorter varieties like ‘Danvers Half Long’ if your garden has heavier soil typical of many Missouri regions.
6. Garlic
Fall planting gives garlic a head start in Missouri gardens. October is ideal timing for cloves to establish roots before winter dormancy.
Throughout Missouri, hardneck varieties typically perform better than softnecks. The scapes (flower stalks) produced in spring offer an early harvest while bulbs continue developing underground until summer.
7. Radishes
Quick-growing radishes provide almost instant gratification in Missouri gardens. From seed to harvest in just 25 days, they’re perfect for impatient gardeners.
Missouri’s spring and fall seasons offer ideal growing conditions for these spicy roots. Plant them between slower-growing vegetables to maximize garden space and get multiple harvests throughout the season.
8. Sweet Potatoes
Long, hot summers in Missouri create ideal conditions for sweet potatoes to develop their sugary flavor. Plant slips after soil warms in late May.
Many Missouri gardeners find these vining plants require minimal care once established. Their beautiful foliage suppresses weeds naturally, and they continue growing until the first frost signals harvest time.
9. Green Beans
Whether bush or pole varieties, green beans thrive in Missouri’s warm summer months. Plant after soil temperatures reach 60°F for best germination.
Across Missouri, successive plantings every few weeks ensure continuous harvests. Their nitrogen-fixing roots actually improve soil quality for next year’s garden, making them both productive and beneficial.
10. Cucumbers
Vining cucumbers climb trellises beautifully in Missouri gardens, saving valuable ground space. Regular harvesting encourages plants to produce more fruits throughout summer.
Missouri’s humidity can sometimes trigger powdery mildew, so choose resistant varieties. Morning watering helps prevent leaf diseases while ensuring plants have enough moisture to develop crisp, juicy cucumbers.
11. Zucchini
Famously productive, one zucchini plant can feed an entire Missouri neighborhood! Their fast growth means you’ll be harvesting within weeks of planting.
Many Missouri gardeners joke about needing to lock their cars during zucchini season to avoid unwanted donations. Plant them where they’ll receive full sun and consistent moisture for the most tender, flavorful squash.
12. Broccoli
Spring and fall plantings allow Missouri gardeners to enjoy broccoli twice yearly. Cool temperatures produce the sweetest, most tender heads without bitterness.
Across the Show-Me State, broccoli thrives when started indoors and transplanted after danger of hard freeze passes. After harvesting the main head, plants continue producing smaller side shoots for weeks of additional harvests.
13. Potatoes
Early spring planting gives potatoes a strong start in Missouri’s growing season. Red, white, or gold varieties all perform well in the state’s variable conditions.
Many Missouri gardeners plant potatoes as soon as soil can be worked. Their ability to store well after harvest makes them particularly valuable, providing homegrown produce long after the garden has gone dormant.
14. Pumpkins
Requiring plenty of space, pumpkins spread vigorously throughout Missouri gardens. Plant in late spring after soil warms for a perfect fall harvest.
Missouri’s growing season perfectly matches pumpkins’ long development time. Their sprawling vines need room to roam, producing orange globes that mature just in time for autumn decorating and delicious homemade pies.