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When to plant Impatiens in Fremont County, CO

Fremont County's short 125-day growing season means one Impatiens planting between May 30 and June 13. No fall crop in Zone 6a.

When to Plant Impatiens in Fremont County, CO

Fremont County, Colorado Zone 6a June

Your June gardening checklist

Welcome to June in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 25
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
July prep starts now
  • Starting indoors: impatiens

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Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are the go-to annual for shaded beds and containers. They produce a continuous carpet of flat-faced blooms from transplant until frost, needing little deadheading. Their preference for consistent moisture and part-shade makes them ideal under trees and along north-facing borders.

Fremont County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 125 days.

At an elevation of 6,575 feet, Fremont County receives approximately 18.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Impatiens to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Impatiens successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Fremont County, CO (Zone 6a) Short season
125 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
125 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Fremont County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Jul 27 – Nov 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 30 🌸 Bloom: Aug 8 – Nov 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: Jun 22 🌸 Bloom: Aug 31 – Dec 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.

Soil Compatibility in Fremont County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Impatiens prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Impatiens.

How to Plant Impatiens

10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Impatiens

2
successive plantings in your 125-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Impatiens Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 505 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Impatiens

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

Month Impatiens Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Impatiens 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.

Impatiens needs ~878 GDD — county provides 1,625 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Fremont County, CO

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 – Jun 13
Bloom August 8 Aug 8 – Nov 14

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

125 days in Fremont County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Fremont County

Direct sow Impatiens outdoors after May 23 in Fremont County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Fremont County receives only 18" of rain annually. Impatiens needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost at 70–75°F; germination requires light — do not cover seeds. Transplant after last frost once nights consistently exceed 50°F. Water regularly — wilting causes bud drop and they rarely fully recover the same flush. Watch for impatiens downy mildew (IDM); consider New Guinea impatiens as a resistant alternative in affected regions. Pinch tips at planting to encourage branching.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Impatiens in Fremont County, CO?

Fremont County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fremont County, CO?

Fremont County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 25.

When should I plant Impatiens in Fremont County, CO?

In Fremont County, CO, plant Impatiens after the last frost (around May 23) and before the first frost (around September 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fremont County, CO for Impatiens?

Fremont County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Impatiens grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Impatiens grow in Fremont County's climate?

Yes — Impatiens grows well in Fremont County's temperate climate. Fremont County averages a 125-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 23 and first frost around September 25.

🌱

Your Fremont County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fremont 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 Fremont County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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