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When to plant Rue in Jackson County County,

In Jackson County County, Rue is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 21–May 5 for an 90-day harvest, finishing well before the October 22 first frost.

When to Plant Rue in Jackson County, KS

Jackson County, Kansas Zone 6a June

June in Jackson County, Kansas — your action list

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 rue

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: rue

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Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

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 Rue during the growing season.

Jackson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Rue Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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 Rue's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) overlaps with Rue's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Rue.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Rue

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Rue

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Rue 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 Rue

Rue 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 Rue 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.

Rue 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.

Rue needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline — Jackson County, KS

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Sep 1

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Rue in Jackson County

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Jackson County, KS?

Jackson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Rue 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 Rue in Jackson County, ?

In Jackson County, , plant Rue 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, for Rue?

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Rue grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Rue grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Rue grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson 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.