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When to Plant Rue in Dickinson County, KS

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Dickinson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Dickinson County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Dickinson County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Dickinson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 64 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rue needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,755 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Dickinson County, KS

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 2

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

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Dickinson County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Dickinson County, KS?

Dickinson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dickinson County, KS?

Dickinson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dickinson County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Dickinson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.