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When to plant Celosia in Bourbon County County,

Bourbon County County gardeners should plant Celosia between April 8 and April 29 in spring. With Bourbon County County's Zone 7a climate (last frost April 8), Celosia needs 90 days to mature — plant by July 27 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Celosia in Bourbon County, KS

Bourbon County, Kansas Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Bourbon County, Kansas

Your Bourbon County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Pick celosia

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: celosia

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Celosia (Celosia argentea) encompasses the vivid cockscomb (cristata) and feathery plumed (plumosa) types that explode with color in summer heat. Drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, they thrive in the hottest parts of the season and produce long-lasting blooms both in the garden and as cut or dried flowers. A reliable filler in sunny annual beds.

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Bourbon County, KS (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bourbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Oct 20

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 Bourbon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Celosia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bourbon County is excellent for Celosia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Celosia.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

3
successive plantings in your 200-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celosia 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.

Celosia needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,750 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Bourbon County, KS

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Bloom June 10 Jun 10 – Oct 7

Plant 0.1" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Bourbon County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Bourbon County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after April 08 in Bourbon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after soil warms above 60°F. Does not transplant well from large pots — sow in small cells or direct-sow. Needs full sun and warm soil; cold stress causes stunting. Pinch first bloom to encourage branching. Water at the base; wet foliage encourages fungal issues. Excellent dried flower — harvest before seeds set for the best color retention.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bourbon County, KS?

Bourbon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 25.

When should I plant Celosia in Bourbon County County, ?

In Bourbon County County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bourbon County County, for Celosia?

Bourbon County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Celosia grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celosia grow in Bourbon County County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Bourbon County County's temperate climate. Bourbon County County averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Bourbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bourbon County (Zone 7a). 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 Bourbon County, KS. 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.