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When to plant Foxglove in LaGrange County, IN

For Foxglove in LaGrange County, the safe spring window opens around May 5 and closes around May 26. Last expected frost is April 28, first fall frost October 16, giving a 171-day growing season.

When to Plant Foxglove in LaGrange County, IN

LaGrange County, Indiana Zone 6a August

August in LaGrange County, Indiana — your action list

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

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting foxglove

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

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Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, LaGrange County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Foxglove during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
LaGrange County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

LaGrange County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Foxglove Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 5 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 22 🌸 Bloom: Jul 17 – Aug 21

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 LaGrange County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.1) overlaps with Foxglove's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Foxglove will thrive.

How to Plant Foxglove

0.1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Foxglove

2
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 18 to harvest before frost.

Foxglove Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Foxglove

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

Month Foxglove Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Foxglove 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.

Foxglove needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,607 GDD Excellent fit

Foxglove Planting Timeline — LaGrange County, IN

Foxglove Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 – May 19
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Bloom June 30 Jun 30 – Aug 4

Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

171 days in LaGrange County

Growing Tips for Foxglove in LaGrange County

Direct sow Foxglove outdoors after April 28 in LaGrange County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Foxglove in LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaGrange County, IN?

LaGrange County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Foxglove in LaGrange County, IN?

In LaGrange County, IN, plant Foxglove after the last frost (around April 28) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is LaGrange County, IN for Foxglove?

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

Can Foxglove grow in LaGrange County's climate?

Yes — Foxglove grows well in LaGrange County's temperate climate. LaGrange County averages a 171-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 28 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your LaGrange County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for LaGrange 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 LaGrange County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.