When to plant Lilies in Grant County County,
Grant County County's short 179-day growing season means one Lilies planting between April 28 and May 12. No fall crop in Zone 6b.
When to Plant Lilies in Grant County, KS
June in the garden — Grant County, Kansas
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Grant County, Kansas.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: lilies
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.
Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.
At an elevation of 1,096 feet, Grant County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Lilies during the growing season.
Grant County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Lilies 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 Grant County
How your county's soil matches Lilies's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.7) is more alkaline than Lilies prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Grant County is excellent for Lilies — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Lilies will thrive.
How to Plant Lilies
Succession Planting Lilies
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 19 to harvest before frost.
Lilies Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lilies
Lilies needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lilies Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Grant County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lilies 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.
Lilies Planting Timeline — Grant County, KS
Lilies Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Bloom | July 7 | Jul 7 – Oct 13 |
Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
179 days in Grant County
Growing Tips for Lilies in Grant County
Direct sow Lilies outdoors after April 21 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lilies in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lilies in Grant County, KS?
Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grant County, KS?
Grant County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 17.
When should I plant Lilies in Grant County County, ?
In Grant County County, , plant Lilies after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Grant County County, for Lilies?
Grant County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lilies grow in Grant County County's climate?
Yes — Lilies grows well in Grant County County's temperate climate. Grant County County averages a 179-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 17.
Your Grant County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Grant 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.