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When to plant Bleeding Hearts in Fulton County County,

Fulton County County sits in cold Zone 6a. Plant Bleeding Hearts May 2–May 16 for the single annual harvest; the October 17 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Bleeding Hearts in Fulton County, IN

Fulton County, Indiana Zone 6a June

June in the garden — Fulton County, Indiana

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Fulton County, Indiana this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for bleeding hearts

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

  2. It's harvest week for bleeding hearts

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

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: bleeding hearts

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Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) are elegant woodland perennials producing arching stems hung with distinctive heart-shaped pink or white flowers with protruding inner petals — the "drops" beneath each heart. A beloved heirloom perennial from Asia, bleeding hearts emerge vigorously in spring, bloom prolifically for 4–6 weeks, and then go dormant in summer heat — a natural die-back that is entirely normal. The dormancy gap should be planned for by interplanting with summer-emerging hostas, ferns, or impatiens. Fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia), a US native, has a longer bloom season and does not go fully dormant. All parts are toxic if ingested.

Fulton County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 829 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 36 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Bleeding Hearts to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Fulton County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17
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Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Bleeding Hearts Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 19 🌸 Bloom: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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 Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Bleeding Hearts's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.3) overlaps with Bleeding Hearts's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Bleeding Hearts.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Bleeding Hearts will thrive.

How to Plant Bleeding Hearts

1.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Bleeding Hearts

3
successive plantings in your 175-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.

Bleeding Hearts Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 815 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Bleeding Hearts

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

Month Bleeding Hearts Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Bleeding Hearts 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.

Bleeding Hearts needs ~975 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Bleeding Hearts Planting Timeline — Fulton County, IN

Bleeding Hearts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Bloom June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 1

Plant 1.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Bleeding Hearts in Fulton County

Direct sow Bleeding Hearts outdoors after April 25 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant bare-root crowns in early spring as soon as soil is workable, or in fall at least 6 weeks before hard freeze. Set eyes 1–2 inches below soil level. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; deep shade is tolerated but reduces bloom. Keep moist but well-drained — will not tolerate waterlogged soil. After flowering, the foliage will yellow and die back in summer heat — this is normal. Do not cut back until foliage turns fully yellow; the plant is storing energy. Mark the location to avoid disturbing crowns during summer dormancy. Divide every 4–5 years in early spring. Year 2+ plants produce the fullest flowering display.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Fulton County, IN?

Fulton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Bleeding Hearts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, IN?

Fulton County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Bleeding Hearts in Fulton County, ?

In Fulton County, , plant Bleeding Hearts after the last frost (around April 25) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fulton County, for Bleeding Hearts?

Fulton County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Bleeding Hearts grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bleeding Hearts grow in Fulton County's climate?

Yes — Bleeding Hearts grows well in Fulton County's temperate climate. Fulton County averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 25 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 6a). 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 Fulton County, IN. 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.