Blog

When to plant Black-eyed Susan in Greenwood County County,

For Greenwood County County, gardeners: plant Black-eyed Susan April 9 through April 30 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Black-eyed Susan in Greenwood County, KS

Greenwood County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June gardening checklist

June is a pivotal month for Greenwood County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: black-eyed susan

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: black-eyed susan

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) is one of the most recognizable and adaptable native wildflowers in North America. Its bright golden-yellow daisy petals radiate from a dark brown central cone, providing months of color from midsummer into fall. Technically a short-lived perennial that self-seeds freely — colonies persist indefinitely in the garden — it thrives in poor soils, tolerates drought, and is irresistible to bees, butterflies, and goldfinches.

Greenwood County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 595 feet, Greenwood County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Black-eyed Susan during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Greenwood County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Greenwood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Black-eyed Susan Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 11 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jul 2 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🌸 Bloom: Jul 15 – Nov 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 Greenwood County

How your county's soil matches Black-eyed Susan's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.2) overlaps with Black-eyed Susan's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Greenwood County is excellent for Black-eyed Susan — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Black-eyed Susan will thrive.

How to Plant Black-eyed Susan

18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Black-eyed Susan

3
successive plantings in your 199-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Black-eyed Susan Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Black-eyed Susan Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Black-eyed Susan 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.

Black-eyed Susan needs ~1,068 GDD — county provides 3,034 GDD Excellent fit

Black-eyed Susan Planting Timeline — Greenwood County, KS

Black-eyed Susan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Bloom July 2 Jul 2 – Oct 22

· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Greenwood County

Growing Tips for Black-eyed Susan in Greenwood County

Direct sow Black-eyed Susan outdoors after April 09 in Greenwood County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow after last frost (needs light to germinate — press seeds onto soil surface, do not cover). Thrives in average to poor soil; rich soil causes floppy stems. Deadhead for extended bloom but leave some seed heads for winter wildlife interest and self-seeding. Although technically short-lived (3–5 years), prolific self-seeding maintains the colony. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily. Divide every 3 years to maintain vigor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Black-eyed Susan in Greenwood County, KS?

Greenwood County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Black-eyed Susan planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenwood County, KS?

Greenwood County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

When should I plant Black-eyed Susan in Greenwood County County, ?

In Greenwood County County, , plant Black-eyed Susan after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Greenwood County County, for Black-eyed Susan?

Greenwood County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Black-eyed Susan grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Black-eyed Susan grow in Greenwood County County's climate?

Yes — Black-eyed Susan grows well in Greenwood County County's temperate climate. Greenwood County County averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Greenwood County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Greenwood 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Greenwood 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.