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When to plant Gladiolus in Logan County, KS

Plant Gladiolus in Logan County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 30. Continue planting through May 21 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Gladiolus in Logan County, KS

Logan County, Kansas Zone 6a August

What to do in August

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

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Bring in the gladiolus

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

A few tasks this August that'll pay off in September
  • First harvests: gladiolus

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Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) produce tall, stately spikes of trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich array of colors, making them one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. Each spike carries 12–20 florets that open in succession from bottom to top over 7–10 days. By planting corms every two weeks from last frost through early summer, gardeners create a continuous succession of fresh blooms from midsummer through fall. Corms multiply each season — a single planting becomes a growing collection over the years. Ideal for back-of- border planting, cutting gardens, and mixed summer containers.

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Logan County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Gladiolus during the growing season.

Bulb Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Logan County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Gladiolus Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🌸 Bloom: Jul 11 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🌸 Bloom: Jul 16 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🌸 Bloom: Jul 29 – Nov 11

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 Logan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.4) is more alkaline than Gladiolus prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Gladiolus.

How to Plant Gladiolus

5"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Gladiolus

2
successive plantings in your 165-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 04 to harvest before frost.

Gladiolus 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 753 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Gladiolus

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

Month Gladiolus Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Gladiolus 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.

Gladiolus needs ~1,169 GDD — county provides 2,268 GDD Excellent fit

Gladiolus Planting Timeline — Logan County, KS

Gladiolus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Bloom July 16 Jul 16 – Oct 29

Plant 5" deep · 5" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
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

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Gladiolus in Logan County

Direct sow Gladiolus outdoors after April 30 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Logan County receives only 22" of rain annually. Gladiolus needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant corms 4–6 inches deep, pointed end up, as soon as soil reaches 60°F after last frost. Space 4–6 inches apart; rows 12 inches apart. Stake or grow through a support grid — tall varieties reach 4–5 feet and tip in wind. Begin succession plantings every 2 weeks through early July for continuous bloom. Water deeply once a week; mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut spikes for vases when the lowest floret just begins to open. After first killing frost (in cold zones), dig corms, let dry for 3–4 weeks in a ventilated spot, remove cormels, and store in mesh bags at 35–50°F. In zones 7b–8a, corms sometimes survive mild winters in ground with heavy mulch; in zones 8b+, in-ground overwintering is reliable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gladiolus in Logan County, KS?

Logan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Gladiolus planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, KS?

Logan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

When should I plant Gladiolus in Logan County, KS?

In Logan County, KS, plant Gladiolus after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Logan County, KS for Gladiolus?

Logan County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Gladiolus grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Gladiolus grow in Logan County's climate?

Yes — Gladiolus grows well in Logan County's temperate climate. Logan County averages a 165-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 12.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.