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When to plant Impatiens in Rush County County,

Plant Impatiens in Rush County County during the brief April 21–May 5 window. With 190 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 21.

When to Plant Impatiens in Rush County, IN

Rush County, Indiana Zone 6a June

Rush County, Indiana gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Start impatiens indoors

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Harvest impatiens as they ripen

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Rush County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,033 feet, Rush County receives approximately 41.3 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
Rush County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21
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Rush County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 24 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: May 8 🌸 Bloom: Jul 17 – Oct 23

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 Rush County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.7) overlaps with Impatiens's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Rush 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 190-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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 177 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rush 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 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Rush County, IN

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Bloom June 30 Jun 30 – Oct 6

· 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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Rush County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Rush County

Direct sow Impatiens outdoors after April 14 in Rush 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 Rush County, IN?

Rush County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rush County, IN?

Rush County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Impatiens in Rush County County, ?

In Rush County County, , plant Impatiens after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Rush County County, for Impatiens?

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

Can Impatiens grow in Rush County County's climate?

Yes — Impatiens grows well in Rush County County's temperate climate. Rush County County averages a 190-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Rush County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rush 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 Rush 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.