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When to Plant Rue in Labette 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.

Labette County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 421 feet, Labette County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Labette County, KS (Zone 6b) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Labette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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 75 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rue needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,552 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Labette County, KS

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 25

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Labette 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 Labette County, KS?

Labette County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Labette County, KS?

Labette County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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