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When to plant Pansy in Mapleton, KS

The best window to plant Pansy in Mapleton, is April 8–April 22, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 8; first frost October 25. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in Mapleton, KS

Bourbon County, Kansas Zone 7a July

This month in Bourbon County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Basket week: pansy

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

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: pansy
  • Fall sowing: pansy

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Mapleton, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 438 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 26 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Pansy during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Mapleton, KS (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Mapleton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Apr 2 🌸 Bloom: May 28 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Apr 8 🌸 Bloom: Jun 3 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 16 – Aug 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 Mapleton

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) is more alkaline than Pansy prefers (5.4–6.2). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Pansy.

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

3
successive plantings in your 200-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Pansy 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 808 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

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

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pansy 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.

Pansy needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,750 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Mapleton, KS

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Bloom June 3 Jun 3 – Aug 12
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Bourbon County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Mapleton

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after April 08 in Bourbon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Pansy in Mapleton, KS?

In Mapleton, KS, plant Pansy after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mapleton, KS for Pansy?

Mapleton sits in USDA Zone 7a. Pansy grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pansy grow in Mapleton's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Mapleton's temperate climate. Mapleton averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Bourbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bourbon County (Zone 7a). 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 Bourbon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.