Blog

When to Plant Rue in Woodson 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.

Woodson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 683 feet, Woodson County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Woodson County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Woodson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 230 gal / 100 sq ft
Rue needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 3,050 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Woodson County, KS

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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 6a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Woodson 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 Woodson County, KS?

Woodson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woodson County, KS?

Woodson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Woodson 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 Woodson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.