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When to Plant Lovage in Rice County, KS

Lovage is a large perennial herb with a celery-like flavor that can grow 4-6 feet tall. All parts are edible including the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots.

Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 1,019 feet, Rice County receives approximately 24.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lovage during the growing season.

Rice County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Rice County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 19

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 872 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lovage needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,237 GDD Excellent fit

Lovage Planting Timeline โ€” Rice County, KS

Lovage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Rice County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. One plant is usually enough for a family. Harvest outer stems and leaves as needed. Divide clumps every 3-4 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lovage in Rice County, KS?

Rice County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Lovage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rice County, KS?

Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rice County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Rice County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.