When to plant Lilies in Kit Carson County, CO
Plant Lilies in Kit Carson County during the brief May 16–May 30 window. With 152 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 8.
When to Plant Lilies in Kit Carson County, CO
What to do in August
Here's what deserves your attention in Kit Carson County, Colorado this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Bring in the lilies
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Looking ahead to September
- First harvests: lilies
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.
Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.
At an elevation of 6,382 feet, Kit Carson County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Lilies during the growing season.
Kit Carson County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Lilies Planting Risk Windows
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 Kit Carson County
How your county's soil matches Lilies's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) is more alkaline than Lilies prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Kit Carson County is excellent for Lilies — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Lilies.
How to Plant Lilies
Succession Planting Lilies
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 10 to harvest before frost.
Lilies Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lilies
Lilies needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lilies Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Kit Carson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lilies 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.
Lilies Planting Timeline — Kit Carson County, CO
Lilies Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 16 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Bloom | July 25 | Jul 25 – Oct 31 |
Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
152 days in Kit Carson County
Growing Tips for Lilies in Kit Carson County
Direct sow Lilies outdoors after May 09 in Kit Carson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Kit Carson County receives only 23" of rain annually. Lilies needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lilies in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lilies in Kit Carson County, CO?
Kit Carson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Kit Carson County, CO?
Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 8.
When should I plant Lilies in Kit Carson County, CO?
In Kit Carson County, CO, plant Lilies after the last frost (around May 9) and before the first frost (around October 8). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Kit Carson County, CO for Lilies?
Kit Carson County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lilies grow in Kit Carson County's climate?
Yes — Lilies grows well in Kit Carson County's temperate climate. Kit Carson County averages a 152-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 9 and first frost around October 8.
Your Kit Carson County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Kit Carson 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.