Blog

When to plant Snapdragon in Morton County, KS

Morton County gardeners should plant Snapdragon between March 30 and April 20 in spring. With Morton County's Zone 6b climate (last frost April 20), Snapdragon needs 70–100 days to mature — plant by July 9 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Snapdragon in Morton County, KS

Morton County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Morton County, Kansas

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

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. Get snapdragon seeds going inside

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

  2. It's harvest week for snapdragon

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: snapdragon

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.

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 Snapdragon during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring 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

Snapdragon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 23 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom: Jun 29 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: May 3 🌸 Bloom: Jul 12 – Sep 27

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 Snapdragon's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.4) is more alkaline than Snapdragon prefers (6.2–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Snapdragon

9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Snapdragon

2
successive plantings in your 180-day season

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

Snapdragon 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 Snapdragon

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

Month Snapdragon 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.

Snapdragon 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.

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

Snapdragon Planting Timeline — Morton County, KS

Snapdragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 – May 4
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 20
Bloom June 29 Jun 29 – Sep 14

· 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
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

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.2–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Morton County

Growing Tips for Snapdragon in Morton County

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

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

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snapdragon in Morton County, KS?

Morton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Snapdragon 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 Snapdragon in Morton County, KS?

In Morton County, KS, plant Snapdragon 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, KS for Snapdragon?

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

Can Snapdragon grow in Morton County's climate?

Yes — Snapdragon grows well in Morton County's temperate climate. Morton 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.