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When to Plant Mint in Hodgeman County, KS

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Hodgeman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 662 feet, Hodgeman County receives approximately 27.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season.

Hodgeman County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Hodgeman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21

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.

Soil Compatibility in Hodgeman County

How your county's soil matches Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.5) is more alkaline than Mint prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Hodgeman County is excellent for Mint โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

3
successive plantings in your 178-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 84 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3" 3.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.6" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 3" 1.6" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Hodgeman County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mint Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mint needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,248 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline โ€” Hodgeman County, KS

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 8

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

178 days in Hodgeman County

Growing Tips for Mint in Hodgeman County

Direct sow Mint outdoors after April 21 in Hodgeman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Hodgeman County, KS?

Hodgeman County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hodgeman County, KS?

Hodgeman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hodgeman County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hodgeman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.