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When to plant Daylily in Rice County County,

Plant Daylily in Rice County County, between April 23 and May 7 — the only viable window. Zone 6b's short season (185 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Daylily in Rice County, KS

Rice County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in Rice County, Kansas — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Rice County, Kansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start daylily under lights

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

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: daylily

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Hemerocallis (Daylily) is one of the most adaptable and trouble-free perennials in cultivation. Though each flower lasts only a single day, established clumps produce dozens to hundreds of buds per stem, delivering weeks of continuous color through summer. Modern hybrids extend the range from pale cream and melon through deep burgundy and purple. Nearly indestructible once established — tolerating poor soil, drought, competition, and neglect — daylilies form dense spreading clumps that effectively suppress weeds. An excellent low-maintenance choice for slopes, borders, and naturalized areas.

Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 1,019 feet, Rice County receives approximately 24.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Daylily during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Rice County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Rice County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Daylily Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 26
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: Jul 9 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🌸 Bloom: Jul 25 – Nov 14

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 Rice County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Daylily's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Daylily.

How to Plant Daylily

1"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Daylily

3
successive plantings in your 185-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.

Daylily 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 Daylily

Daylily 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 Daylily Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Daylily 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.

Daylily needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,237 GDD Excellent fit

Daylily Planting Timeline — Rice County, KS

Daylily Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Bloom July 9 Jul 9 – Oct 29

Plant 1" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" 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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

185 days in Rice County

Growing Tips for Daylily in Rice County

Direct sow Daylily outdoors after April 16 in Rice County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

Daylilies are most commonly propagated by division rather than seed; cultivar seeds do not come true. Transplant bare-root or potted divisions in early spring or fall, setting crowns no more than 1 inch below soil level. If starting from seed (species types only), start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Established plants are extremely drought-tolerant; moderate water during bloom period improves flower quality. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor. In warm zones (8+), some cultivars are evergreen; in cold zones, foliage dies back each fall. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily — first-year transplants may produce limited flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daylily in Rice County, KS?

Rice County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rice County, KS?

Rice County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Daylily in Rice County County, ?

In Rice County County, , plant Daylily after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Rice County County, for Daylily?

Rice County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Daylily grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Daylily grow in Rice County County's climate?

Yes — Daylily grows well in Rice County County's temperate climate. Rice County County averages a 185-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Rice County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rice 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 Rice 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.