When to plant Lobelia in Comanche County, KS
Plant Lobelia in Comanche County during the brief April 1–April 15 window. With 192 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 24.
When to Plant Lobelia in Comanche County, KS
June to-do list for Comanche County, Kansas
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Comanche County, Kansas.
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Start lobelia under lights
Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.
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Harvest lobelia as they ripen
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
Get ahead of July
- 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.
Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.
At an elevation of 695 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lobelia during the growing season.
Comanche County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.5
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 Comanche County
How your county's soil matches Lobelia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) is more alkaline than Lobelia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Comanche County is excellent for Lobelia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Lobelia.
How to Plant Lobelia
Succession Planting Lobelia
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.
Lobelia Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.6" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Comanche 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 — Comanche County, KS
Lobelia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 11 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Bloom | May 27 | May 27 – Aug 19 |
· 6" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
192 days in Comanche County
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Comanche County
Direct sow Lobelia outdoors after April 15 in Comanche 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 Comanche County, KS?
Comanche County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Lobelia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Comanche County, KS?
Comanche County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.
When should I plant Lobelia in Comanche County, KS?
In Comanche County, KS, plant Lobelia after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Comanche County, KS for Lobelia?
Comanche County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lobelia grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lobelia grow in Comanche County's climate?
Yes — Lobelia grows well in Comanche County's temperate climate. Comanche County averages a 192-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 24.
Your Comanche County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Comanche 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.