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When to plant Begonias in Wabash County, IL

Wabash County's 202-day season only supports one Begonias planting per year. Sow between April 16 and April 30 for the best chance at full maturity before October 28.

When to Plant Begonias in Wabash County, IL

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.

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Wabash County receives approximately 32.9 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
Wabash County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Wabash County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Begonias Planting Timeline — Wabash County, IL

Begonias Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Bloom June 25 Jun 25 – Oct 1

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Wabash County

Growing Tips for Wabash County

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 Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wabash County, IL?

Wabash County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

When should I plant Begonias in Wabash County, IL?

In Wabash County, IL, plant Begonias after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wabash County, IL for Begonias?

Wabash 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 Wabash County's climate?

Yes — Begonias grows well in Wabash County's temperate climate. Wabash County averages a 202-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 28.

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Your Wabash County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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