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When to plant Ageratum in Johnson County, KS

For Ageratum in Johnson County, the safe spring window opens around April 8 and closes around April 29. Last expected frost is April 8, first fall frost October 26, giving a 201-day growing season.

When to Plant Ageratum in Johnson County, KS

Johnson County, Kansas Zone 6b July

July in Johnson County, Kansas — your action list

Welcome to July in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for ageratum

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
  • First harvests: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Johnson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 768 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Johnson County, KS (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 4 🌸 Bloom: May 30 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 8 🌸 Bloom: Jun 3 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: Jun 18 – Oct 1

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 Johnson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.2) overlaps with Ageratum's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Ageratum will thrive.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 201-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 909 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

Ageratum needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Ageratum 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.

Ageratum needs ~1,029 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Johnson County, KS

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Bloom June 3 Jun 3 – Sep 16

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

201 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Johnson County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 08 in Johnson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Ageratum in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Johnson County, KS?

Johnson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, KS?

Johnson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Ageratum in Johnson County, KS?

In Johnson County, KS, plant Ageratum after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Johnson County, KS for Ageratum?

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

Can Ageratum grow in Johnson County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Johnson County's temperate climate. Johnson County averages a 201-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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