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When to plant Lupine in Chase County County,

The best window to plant Lupine in Chase County County, is April 20–May 11, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 13; first frost October 24.

When to Plant Lupine in Chase County, KS

Chase County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in Chase County, Kansas — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Chase County, Kansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 13
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start lupine under lights

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. Pick lupine

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: lupine

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Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is a stunning native perennial of eastern North America, producing tall, densely packed spikes of pea-like flowers in deep blue-purple — the classic wildflower of sandy pine barrens and open woodlands. Russell Hybrid Lupins extend the color range to pink, red, yellow, and bicolors and produce larger flower spikes, making them popular cottage garden perennials. The palmately compound foliage is attractive throughout the season. Wild lupine is the sole larval host plant of the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly, making it a high-value native planting. Seeds are toxic if ingested. Nitrogen-fixing roots improve surrounding soil over time.

Chase County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Chase County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Lupine during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Chase County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24
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Chase County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Lupine Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 5 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Aug 4

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 Chase County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.7) is more alkaline than Lupine prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Lupine will thrive.

How to Plant Lupine

0.3"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Lupine

2
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.

Lupine Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 654 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Lupine

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

Month Lupine Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lupine 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.

Lupine needs ~1,531 GDD — county provides 3,395 GDD Excellent fit

Lupine Planting Timeline — Chase County, KS

Lupine Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Bloom June 15 Jun 15 – Jul 20

Plant 0.3" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

75–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Chase County

Growing Tips for Lupine in Chase County

Direct sow Lupine outdoors after April 13 in Chase County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Lupine in this region include bean beetles and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Scarify seeds before planting — nick with a file or sandpaper, or soak in warm water for 24 hours — to improve germination. Start in biodegradable pots (peat or paper) 8–10 weeks before last frost to avoid disturbing the taproot at transplant. Direct sowing is equally effective if done fresh in fall (natural stratification and scarification over winter). Transplant or direct-sow after last frost into well-drained, lean soil. Lupines prefer cool, moist springs and decline in summer heat and humidity. They are relatively short-lived in warm zones (treat as biennial in Zones 7–8). Do not over-fertilize — nitrogen-fixers thrive in lean soil. Deadhead after bloom to extend season; allow some pods to mature for self-seeding. Year 2+ plants produce the largest flower spikes.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lupine in Chase County, KS?

Chase County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Lupine planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chase County, KS?

Chase County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Lupine in Chase County County, ?

In Chase County County, , plant Lupine after the last frost (around April 13) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Chase County County, for Lupine?

Chase County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lupine grows reliably in zones 3a through 8b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lupine grow in Chase County County's climate?

Yes — Lupine grows well in Chase County County's temperate climate. Chase County County averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 13 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Chase County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chase County (Zone 6b). 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 Chase 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.