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When to plant Ageratum in Gray County County,

Plant Ageratum in Gray County County from April 18 to May 9 in spring. Gray County County sits in USDA Zone 6b, with last frost around April 18 and first frost on October 19.

When to Plant Ageratum in Gray County, KS

Gray County, Kansas Zone 6b June

This month in Gray County, Kansas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Get ageratum seeds going inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Harvest ageratum as they ripen

    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: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 903 feet, Gray County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Gray County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 9 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 18 🌸 Bloom: Jun 13 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Oct 10

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 Gray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 184-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum 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 593 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

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

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Ageratum 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.

Ageratum needs ~979 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Gray County, KS

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Bloom June 13 Jun 13 – Sep 26

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

184 days in Gray County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Gray County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 18 in Gray County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Ageratum in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Gray County, KS?

Gray County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, KS?

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Ageratum in Gray County County, ?

In Gray County County, , plant Ageratum after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Gray County County, for Ageratum?

Gray County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Gray County County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Gray County County's temperate climate. Gray County County averages a 184-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 19.

🌱

Your Gray County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gray 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 Gray County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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