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When to Plant Salsify in Hodgeman County, KS

Salsify is a root vegetable with a subtle oyster-like flavor, earning it the nickname "oyster plant." It produces long, slender, cream-colored roots.

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 Salsify 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 (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 28

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 654 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Salsify needs ~2,099 GDD — county provides 3,248 GDD Excellent fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Hodgeman County, KS

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 1

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Hodgeman County

Direct sow in spring in deeply worked, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed only as viability drops quickly. Harvest in late fall after frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salsify in Hodgeman County, KS?

Hodgeman County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Salsify 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.

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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.

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