When to plant Lilies in Marshall County County,
Marshall County County sits in cold Zone 5a. Plant Lilies May 16–May 30 for the single annual harvest; the October 7 first frost closes the window.
When to Plant Lilies in Marshall County, IA
June to-do list for Marshall County, Iowa
A quick June briefing for Marshall County, Iowa gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
- First harvests: lilies
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.
Marshall County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.
At an elevation of 1,379 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lilies to ensure they mature before fall.
Marshall County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Lilies Planting Risk Windows
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 Marshall County
How your county's soil matches Lilies's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.1) is more alkaline than Lilies prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Marshall County is excellent for Lilies — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Lilies will thrive.
How to Plant Lilies
Succession Planting Lilies
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 09 to harvest before frost.
Lilies Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lilies
Lilies needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lilies Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Marshall County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lilies 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.
Lilies Planting Timeline — Marshall County, IA
Lilies Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | May 16 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Bloom | July 25 | Jul 25 – Oct 17 |
Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
158 days in Marshall County
Growing Tips for Lilies in Marshall County
Direct sow Lilies outdoors after May 02 in Marshall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lilies in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lilies in Marshall County, IA?
Marshall County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Marshall County, IA?
Marshall County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 7.
When should I plant Lilies in Marshall County County, ?
In Marshall County County, , plant Lilies after the last frost (around May 2) and before the first frost (around October 7). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Marshall County County, for Lilies?
Marshall County County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lilies grow in Marshall County County's climate?
Yes — Lilies grows well in Marshall County County's temperate climate. Marshall County County averages a 158-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 2 and first frost around October 7.
Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.