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When to Plant Echinacea in Lincoln County, WY

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native prairie perennial valued for its immune-supporting properties and beautiful daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.

Lincoln County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 98 days.

At an elevation of 6,850 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 17.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Echinacea to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Echinacea successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, WY (Zone 4b) Very short season
98 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
98 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Oct 2 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Oct 18 – Nov 8
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Nov 1 – Nov 22

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.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Echinacea needs ~1,950 GDD — county provides 1,274 GDD May not mature

Echinacea Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, WY

Echinacea Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jun 28
Harvest October 18 Oct 18 โ€“ Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Harvest
November Harvest
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

98 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall for spring germination. Seeds need cold stratification. Deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seed heads for birds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Echinacea in Lincoln County, WY?

Lincoln County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 7. Plan your Echinacea planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, WY?

Lincoln County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and first fall frost is September 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Lincoln County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.