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When to plant Pansy in Cheyenne County, CO

Plant Pansy in Cheyenne County after May 2; the prime window is May 2–May 16. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in Cheyenne County, CO

Cheyenne County, Colorado Zone 6a July

Your July planting checklist for Cheyenne County, Colorado

A quick July briefing for Cheyenne County, Colorado gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 2
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Time to start pansy inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Basket week: pansy

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

August prep starts now
  • First harvests: pansy
  • Fall sowing: pansy

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Cheyenne County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 7,824 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pansy during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Cheyenne County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🌸 Bloom: Jun 21 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 16 🌸 Bloom: Jul 11 – Sep 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Cheyenne County

How your county's soil matches Pansy's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) is more alkaline than Pansy prefers (5.4–6.2). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Cheyenne County is excellent for Pansy — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Pansy.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Pansy.

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

2
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,294 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

Pansy needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Cheyenne County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Pansy Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Pansy needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,349 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Cheyenne County, CO

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Bloom June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 29
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Fall Sowing Bloom
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Cheyenne County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Cheyenne County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after May 02 in Cheyenne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Cheyenne County receives only 21" of rain annually. Pansy needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in Cheyenne County, CO?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, CO?

Cheyenne County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.

When should I plant Pansy in Cheyenne County, CO?

In Cheyenne County, CO, plant Pansy after the last frost (around May 2) and before the first frost (around October 11). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cheyenne County, CO for Pansy?

Cheyenne County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Pansy grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pansy grow in Cheyenne County's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Cheyenne County's temperate climate. Cheyenne County averages a 162-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 2 and first frost around October 11.

🌱

Your Cheyenne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cheyenne County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Cheyenne County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.