When to plant Lobelia in Winneshiek County County,
Plant Lobelia in Winneshiek County County during the brief April 26–May 10 window. With 156 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 6.
When to Plant Lobelia in Winneshiek County, IA
This month in Winneshiek County, Iowa
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Pick lobelia
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Looking ahead to July
- Starting indoors: lobelia
- First harvests: lobelia
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a cool-season annual prized for the intense cobalt blue that is rare among bedding flowers. It blooms most prolifically in spring and early summer but stalls or dies back during heat peaks above 90°F. In zones 3–7 it delivers a long display; in zones 8–9 it is best treated as a spring annual that fades by midsummer. Trailing types cascade beautifully from containers and window boxes.
Winneshiek County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.
At an elevation of 1,360 feet, Winneshiek County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lobelia to ensure they mature before fall.
Winneshiek County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Lobelia 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 Winneshiek County
How your county's soil matches Lobelia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Lobelia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Winneshiek County is excellent for Lobelia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Lobelia will thrive.
How to Plant Lobelia
Succession Planting Lobelia
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 18 to harvest before frost.
Lobelia Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lobelia
Lobelia needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lobelia Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Winneshiek County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lobelia 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.
Lobelia Planting Timeline — Winneshiek County, IA
Lobelia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 22 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Bloom | June 21 | Jun 21 – Aug 30 |
· 6" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
156 days in Winneshiek County
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Winneshiek County
Direct sow Lobelia outdoors after May 03 in Winneshiek County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine and requires light to germinate; surface-sow and press gently. Keep at 65–70°F. Not reliably direct-sown. Transplant in cool weather, 2–4 weeks before last frost date is acceptable in zones 5+. Shear plants by one-third after the first bloom flush to encourage a second flush in fall. Provide afternoon shade in zones 7+ to extend bloom into summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lobelia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lobelia in Winneshiek County, IA?
Winneshiek County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Lobelia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Winneshiek County, IA?
Winneshiek County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 6.
When should I plant Lobelia in Winneshiek County County, ?
In Winneshiek County County, , plant Lobelia after the last frost (around May 3) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Winneshiek County County, for Lobelia?
Winneshiek County County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Lobelia grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lobelia grow in Winneshiek County County's climate?
Yes — Lobelia grows well in Winneshiek County County's temperate climate. Winneshiek County County averages a 156-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 3 and first frost around October 6.
Your Winneshiek County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Winneshiek 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.