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When to plant Ageratum in Marshall County County,

Marshall County County's climate puts the Ageratum spring window between April 22 and May 13. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival.

When to Plant Ageratum in Marshall County, KS

Marshall County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Your June game plan for Marshall County, Kansas

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Marshall County, Kansas.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Sow ageratum in trays indoors

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Pick ageratum

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

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Marshall County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 840 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 22.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Ageratum to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Marshall County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jun 11 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jun 17 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 4 🌸 Bloom: Jun 29 – Oct 5

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.8) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Ageratum.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Ageratum will thrive.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

3
successive plantings in your 175-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,411 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Marshall 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 ~878 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Marshall County, KS

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 – May 13
Bloom June 17 Jun 17 – Sep 23

· 8" apart · Rows 10" 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
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Marshall County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 22 in Marshall 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.

Marshall County receives only 23" of rain annually. Ageratum 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 — 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 Marshall County, KS?

Marshall County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, KS?

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

When should I plant Ageratum in Marshall County, ?

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

What growing zone is Marshall County, for Ageratum?

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

Can Ageratum grow in Marshall County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Marshall County's temperate climate. Marshall County averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall 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 Marshall 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.