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When to plant Impatiens in Lawrence County County,

Lawrence County County's short 197-day growing season means one Impatiens planting between April 20 and May 4. No fall crop in Zone 6b.

When to Plant Impatiens in Lawrence County, IL

Lawrence County, Illinois Zone 6b June

Your June gardening checklist

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Lawrence County, Illinois.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start impatiens under lights

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Harvest impatiens as they ripen

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: 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.

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 969 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 35.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Impatiens during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Lawrence County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27
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Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom: Jun 29 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 4 🌸 Bloom: Jul 13 – Oct 26

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 Lawrence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.3) is more alkaline than Impatiens prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Impatiens.

How to Plant Impatiens

10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Impatiens

3
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Impatiens 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 521 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lawrence 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 ~1,080 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, IL

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Bloom June 29 Jun 29 – Oct 12

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Lawrence County

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

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 Lawrence County, IL?

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

What planting zone is Lawrence County, IL?

Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 27.

When should I plant Impatiens in Lawrence County, ?

In Lawrence County, , plant Impatiens after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lawrence County, for Impatiens?

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

Can Impatiens grow in Lawrence County's climate?

Yes — Impatiens grows well in Lawrence County's temperate climate. Lawrence County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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