Blog

When to plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County County,

Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County County after April 18; the prime window is April 25–May 16.

When to Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County, KS

Haskell County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Haskell County, Kansas

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

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. Begin indoor sowing: gaillardia (blanket flower)

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

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: gaillardia (blanket flower)

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata), the native blanket flower of the American West, is one of the most floriferous and longest-blooming perennials available — producing cheerful, daisy-like flowers in fiery red, orange, and yellow combinations from early summer through hard frost in most climates. Named for the way its spreading colonies mimic the patterned blankets of Indigenous American weavers, gaillardia thrives in the exact conditions that challenge other perennials: poor, dry, gravelly soil in full sun. An outstanding pollinator plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and finches that feed on its seed heads. Somewhat short-lived (3–5 years) but self-seeds freely to sustain garden colonies.

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 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Multi-season 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

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Nov 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 25 🌸 Bloom: Jul 4 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 10 🌸 Bloom: Jul 19 – Nov 22

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 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) overlaps with Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)'s range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) will thrive.

How to Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

0.1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
18"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

3
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 10 to harvest before frost.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) needs ~1,169 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Planting Timeline — Haskell County, KS

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 – May 9
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Bloom July 4 Jul 4 – Nov 7

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County

Direct sow Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) outdoors after April 18 in Haskell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost or direct-sow after last frost. Seeds need light to germinate — press onto soil surface without covering, or cover very lightly (1/8 inch). Transplant after last frost when soil has warmed. Lean, well-drained soil is essential — rich or wet soil causes sprawl and root rot. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the season, but leave some heads for self-seeding to renew the planting. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to maintain vigor. Drought-tolerant once established; overwatering is more damaging than underwatering. Year 2+ plants deliver the fullest multi-season bloom.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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 Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Haskell County, ?

In Haskell County, , plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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, for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)?

Haskell County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) grow in Haskell County's climate?

Yes — Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) grows well in Haskell County's temperate climate. Haskell 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.

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 Haskell 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.