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When to plant Pansy in Comanche County, KS

In Comanche County, plant Pansy in spring between April 15 and April 29, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Comanche County's last frost averages April 15, so time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. For a fall crop, sow between August 29 and September 12 — roughly 70–90 days before the first frost on October 24.

When to Plant Pansy in Comanche County, KS

Comanche County, Kansas Zone 6b July

What to do in July

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Comanche County, Kansas.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Collect pansy at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: pansy
  • Fall sowing: pansy

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

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 Pansy during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Comanche County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Comanche County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 9 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Sep 1

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 Pansy's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) is more alkaline than Pansy prefers (5.4–6.2). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

3
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 29.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 777 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

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

Month Pansy 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.

Pansy 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.

Pansy needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Comanche County, KS

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Bloom June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 19
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Comanche County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Comanche County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after April 15 in Comanche County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in Comanche County, KS?

Comanche County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Pansy 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 Pansy in Comanche County, KS?

In Comanche County, KS, plant Pansy 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 Pansy?

Comanche County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Pansy grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pansy grow in Comanche County's climate?

Yes — Pansy 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.

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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 Comanche County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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