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

For Black-eyed Susan in Haskell County County, the safe spring window opens around April 18 and closes around May 9. Last expected frost is April 18, first fall frost October 18, giving a 183-day growing season.

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

Haskell County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Top priorities for Haskell County, Kansas gardeners in June

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 18
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Sow black-eyed susan in trays indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 18). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

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

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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.

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Black-eyed Susan during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Haskell County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Haskell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Black-eyed Susan Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jul 7 – Oct 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 25 🌸 Bloom: Jul 11 – Oct 31
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: May 10 🌸 Bloom: Jul 26 – Nov 15

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 Haskell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) overlaps with Black-eyed Susan's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — 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 183-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 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 8/10 — 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Haskell 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 ~962 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Black-eyed Susan Planting Timeline — Haskell County, KS

Black-eyed Susan Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 – May 9
Bloom July 11 Jul 11 – Oct 31

· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Black-eyed Susan in Haskell County

Direct sow Black-eyed Susan outdoors after April 18 in Haskell 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.

Haskell County receives only 24" of rain annually. Black-eyed Susan needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Haskell County, KS?

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

What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?

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

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

In Haskell County County, , plant Black-eyed Susan after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

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

Haskell 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 Haskell County County's climate?

Yes — Black-eyed Susan grows well in Haskell County County's temperate climate. Haskell County County averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Haskell County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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