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When to plant Celosia in Jackson County County,

Plant Celosia in Jackson County County from April 21 to May 12 in spring. Jackson County County sits in USDA Zone 6a, with last frost around April 14 and first frost on October 22.

When to Plant Celosia in Jackson County, KS

Jackson County, Kansas Zone 6a June

June in the garden — Jackson County, Kansas

Your Jackson County, Kansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Bring in the celosia

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: celosia

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Celosia (Celosia argentea) encompasses the vivid cockscomb (cristata) and feathery plumed (plumosa) types that explode with color in summer heat. Drought-tolerant and disease-resistant, they thrive in the hottest parts of the season and produce long-lasting blooms both in the garden and as cut or dried flowers. A reliable filler in sunny annual beds.

Jackson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 909 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 25.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Celosia during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Jackson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22
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Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celosia Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jun 18 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🌸 Bloom: Jul 9 – Oct 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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) is more alkaline than Celosia prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Celosia.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Celosia will thrive.

How to Plant Celosia

0.1"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Celosia

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Celosia Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 169 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Celosia

Celosia 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 Celosia Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celosia 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.

Celosia needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Celosia Planting Timeline — Jackson County, KS

Celosia Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Bloom June 23 Jun 23 – Oct 6

Plant 0.1" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Celosia in Jackson County

Direct sow Celosia outdoors after April 14 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct-sow after soil warms above 60°F. Does not transplant well from large pots — sow in small cells or direct-sow. Needs full sun and warm soil; cold stress causes stunting. Pinch first bloom to encourage branching. Water at the base; wet foliage encourages fungal issues. Excellent dried flower — harvest before seeds set for the best color retention.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celosia in Jackson County, KS?

Jackson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Celosia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, KS?

Jackson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Celosia in Jackson County County, ?

In Jackson County County, , plant Celosia after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County County, for Celosia?

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

Can Celosia grow in Jackson County County's climate?

Yes — Celosia grows well in Jackson County County's temperate climate. Jackson County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 6a). 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 Jackson 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.