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When to plant Begonias in Jasper County County,

In Jasper County County, Begonias is a spring-only crop. Plant April 20–May 4 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Begonias in Jasper County, IL

Jasper County, Illinois Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Jasper County, Illinois

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start begonias under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 13). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

  2. Collect begonias at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: begonias

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Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.

Jasper County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,384 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Begonias during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant
Jasper County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20
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Jasper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Begonias Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom: Jun 29 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: May 4 🌸 Bloom: Jul 13 – Oct 19

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 Jasper County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.3) is more alkaline than Begonias prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Jasper County is excellent for Begonias — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Begonias will thrive.

How to Plant Begonias

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Begonias

3
successive plantings in your 190-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Begonias Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 459 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Begonias

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

Month Begonias Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Begonias 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.

Begonias needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,467 GDD Excellent fit

Begonias Planting Timeline — Jasper County, IL

Begonias Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Bloom June 29 Jun 29 – Oct 5

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Jasper County

Growing Tips for Begonias in Jasper County

Direct sow Begonias outdoors after April 13 in Jasper County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Begonias in Jasper County, IL?

Jasper County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jasper County, IL?

Jasper County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Begonias in Jasper County County, ?

In Jasper County County, , plant Begonias after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jasper County County, for Begonias?

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

Can Begonias grow in Jasper County County's climate?

Yes — Begonias grows well in Jasper County County's temperate climate. Jasper County County averages a 190-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Jasper County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jasper County (Zone 6b). 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 Jasper County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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