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When to plant Nasturtium in Morris County, KS

Plant Nasturtium in Morris County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 15. Continue planting through May 6 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Morris County, KS

Morris County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in Morris County, Kansas — your action list

Your garden in Morris County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting nasturtium

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

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: nasturtium

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Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing annual with distinctive round, lily-pad leaves and bold trumpet-shaped blooms in warm oranges, reds, and yellows. Both the flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery watercress flavor. Planted near vegetables, nasturtiums act as a sacrifice trap-crop, luring aphids away from more valuable plants. They thrive in poor, dry soil — rich conditions produce lush foliage but few flowers.

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 535 feet, Morris County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Morris County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🌸 Bloom: Jun 6 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: Apr 30 🌸 Bloom: Jun 25 – 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 Morris County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) is within Nasturtium's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Nasturtium will thrive.

How to Plant Nasturtium

0.5"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Nasturtium

4
successive plantings in your 188-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

Nasturtium Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Nasturtium

Nasturtium 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 Nasturtium Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Nasturtium 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.

Nasturtium needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,008 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Morris County, KS

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 – May 6
Bloom June 10 Jun 10 – Oct 7

Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

188 days in Morris County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Morris County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after April 15 in Morris County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Morris County receives only 25" of rain annually. Nasturtium needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct-sow large seeds 1/2 inch deep after last frost; soak seeds overnight to speed germination (7-10 days). Nasturtiums dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred. Avoid fertilizing — poor soil brings the best bloom. Trailing types can cover banks and climb trellises; dwarf types suit containers. In hot climates (zones 9+) plant in fall for winter/spring bloom as plants struggle in peak summer heat.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Nasturtium in Morris County, KS?

Morris County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, KS?

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Morris County, KS?

In Morris County, KS, plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Morris County, KS for Nasturtium?

Morris County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Nasturtium grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Nasturtium grow in Morris County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Morris County's temperate climate. Morris County averages a 188-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Morris County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morris 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 Morris 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.