When to plant Lobelia in Harvey County County,
Harvey County County's 192-day season only supports one Lobelia planting per year. Sow between April 1 and April 15 for the best chance at full maturity before October 24.
When to Plant Lobelia in Harvey County, KS
Your June gardening checklist
Here's what deserves your attention in Harvey County, Kansas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Start lobelia indoors
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
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Harvest lobelia as they ripen
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Harvey 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 872 feet, Harvey County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Lobelia during the growing season.
Harvey County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.1
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 Harvey County
How your county's soil matches Lobelia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.1) overlaps with Lobelia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Harvey County is excellent for Lobelia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Lobelia will thrive.
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 6/10 — 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 | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.3" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Harvey 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 — Harvey 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
192 days in Harvey County
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Harvey County
Direct sow Lobelia outdoors after April 15 in Harvey County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Harvey County receives only 23" of rain annually. Lobelia needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 Harvey County, KS?
Harvey 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 Harvey County, KS?
Harvey 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 Harvey County County, ?
In Harvey County County, , 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 Harvey County County, for Lobelia?
Harvey County 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 Harvey County County's climate?
Yes — Lobelia grows well in Harvey County County's temperate climate. Harvey County County averages a 192-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 24.
Your Harvey County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Harvey 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.