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When to plant Impatiens in Massac County County,

Plant Impatiens in Massac County County during the brief April 14–April 28 window. With 197 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 21.

When to Plant Impatiens in Massac County, IL

Massac County, Illinois Zone 7a June

What to do in June

Your garden in Massac County, Illinois is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Start impatiens indoors

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Bring in the impatiens

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

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.

Massac County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Massac County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Impatiens during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Massac County, IL (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Massac County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🌸 Bloom: Jul 7 – Oct 27

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 Massac County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Impatiens's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Impatiens will thrive.

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 07 to harvest before frost.

Impatiens Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 408 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Massac 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 ~979 GDD — county provides 2,856 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Massac County, IL

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Bloom June 23 Jun 23 – Oct 13

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Massac County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Massac County

Direct sow Impatiens outdoors after April 07 in Massac 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 Massac County, IL?

Massac County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Massac County, IL?

Massac County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Impatiens in Massac County County, ?

In Massac County County, , plant Impatiens after the last frost (around April 7) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Massac County County, for Impatiens?

Massac County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Impatiens grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Impatiens grow in Massac County County's climate?

Yes — Impatiens grows well in Massac County County's temperate climate. Massac County County averages a 197-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 7 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Massac County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Massac County (Zone 7a). 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 Massac County, IL. 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.