Blog

When to plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Clark County, ID

In Clark County, Sedum (Stonecrop) is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant June 21–July 5 for an 60–90-day harvest, finishing well before the September 10 first frost.

When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Clark County, ID

Clark County, Idaho Zone 5b June

June to-do list for Clark County, Idaho

Welcome to June in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost June 7
Avg. first frost September 10
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Plant out sedum (stonecrop)

    Frost risk is low now in Clark County, Idaho. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 95 days.

At an elevation of 7,493 feet, Clark County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sedum (Stonecrop) to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Clark County, ID (Zone 5b) Very short season
95 days
Last Spring Frost June 7
95 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Jun 6 🌸 Bloom: Oct 3 – Dec 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: Jun 21 🌸 Bloom: Oct 18 – Dec 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (267 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: Jul 5 🌸 Bloom: Nov 1 – Jan 10

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 Clark County

How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) is more alkaline than Sedum (Stonecrop) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Clark County is excellent for Sedum (Stonecrop) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Sedum (Stonecrop).

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Sedum (Stonecrop) 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.

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs ~862 GDD — county provides 1,092 GDD Good fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Clark County, ID

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors June 21 Jun 21 – Jul 5
Bloom October 18 Oct 18 – Dec 27

Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

95 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Clark County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after June 07 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 95.0-day growing season in Clark County is tight for Sedum (Stonecrop) (60.0-90.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Clark County receives only 22" of rain annually. Sedum (Stonecrop) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Clark County, ID?

Clark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 7. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, ID?

Clark County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 7 and first fall frost is September 10.

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Clark County, ID?

In Clark County, ID, plant Sedum (Stonecrop) after the last frost (around June 7) and before the first frost (around September 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Clark County, ID for Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Clark County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Sedum (Stonecrop) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in Clark County's climate?

Yes — Sedum (Stonecrop) grows well in Clark County's temperate climate. Clark County averages a 95-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 7 and first frost around September 10.

🌱

Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clark County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clark County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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