Blog

When to plant Geraniums in Morton County County,

Morton County County's short 180-day growing season means one Geraniums planting between April 27 and May 11. No fall crop in Zone 6b.

When to Plant Geraniums in Morton County, KS

Morton County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Morton County, Kansas

June is a pivotal month for Morton County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 20
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: geraniums

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Morton County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Morton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Morton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Geraniums Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 27 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: May 10 🌸 Bloom: Jul 19 – Oct 25

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 Morton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.4) is more alkaline than Geraniums prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Geraniums.

How to Plant Geraniums

0.1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
14"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Geraniums

2
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

Geraniums 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 859 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Geraniums

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

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

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

Geraniums 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.

Geraniums needs ~1,551 GDD — county provides 3,285 GDD Excellent fit

Geraniums Planting Timeline — Morton County, KS

Geraniums Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Bloom July 6 Jul 6 – Oct 12

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
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 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Geraniums in Morton County

Direct sow Geraniums outdoors after April 20 in Morton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Morton County receives only 24" of rain annually. Geraniums needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Geraniums in Morton County, KS?

Morton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Geraniums planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morton County, KS?

Morton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Geraniums in Morton County County, ?

In Morton County County, , plant Geraniums after the last frost (around April 20) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Morton County County, for Geraniums?

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

Can Geraniums grow in Morton County County's climate?

Yes — Geraniums grows well in Morton County County's temperate climate. Morton County County averages a 180-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 20 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Morton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morton 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Morton 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.