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When to Plant Rue in Geary 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.

Geary County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 610 feet, Geary County receives approximately 31.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Geary County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Geary County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rue needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,008 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Geary 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 6a

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Geary 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 Geary County, KS?

Geary County is in Zone 6a 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 Geary County, KS?

Geary County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Geary County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.