When to plant Lobelia in Shawnee County County,
Shawnee County County's 191-day season only supports one Lobelia planting per year. Sow between March 31 and April 14 for the best chance at full maturity before October 22.
When to Plant Lobelia in Shawnee County, KS
June in the garden — Shawnee County, Kansas
Each item below is timed to Shawnee County, Kansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Indoor seed-starting week for lobelia
These need a head start before your last frost (April 14). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Basket week: lobelia
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Coming up in July — start thinking about
- First harvests: lobelia
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a cool-season annual prized for the intense cobalt blue that is rare among bedding flowers. It blooms most prolifically in spring and early summer but stalls or dies back during heat peaks above 90°F. In zones 3–7 it delivers a long display; in zones 8–9 it is best treated as a spring annual that fades by midsummer. Trailing types cascade beautifully from containers and window boxes.
Shawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.
At an elevation of 923 feet, Shawnee County receives approximately 26.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Lobelia during the growing season.
Shawnee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Lobelia Planting Risk Windows
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 Shawnee County
How your county's soil matches Lobelia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Lobelia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Shawnee County is excellent for Lobelia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lobelia.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Lobelia will thrive.
How to Plant Lobelia
Succession Planting Lobelia
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.
Lobelia Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lobelia
Lobelia needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lobelia Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Shawnee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lobelia 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.
Lobelia Planting Timeline — Shawnee County, KS
Lobelia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 10 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Bloom | May 26 | May 26 – Aug 18 |
· 6" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
191 days in Shawnee County
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Shawnee County
Direct sow Lobelia outdoors after April 14 in Shawnee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine and requires light to germinate; surface-sow and press gently. Keep at 65–70°F. Not reliably direct-sown. Transplant in cool weather, 2–4 weeks before last frost date is acceptable in zones 5+. Shear plants by one-third after the first bloom flush to encourage a second flush in fall. Provide afternoon shade in zones 7+ to extend bloom into summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lobelia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lobelia in Shawnee County, KS?
Shawnee County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lobelia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Shawnee County, KS?
Shawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.
When should I plant Lobelia in Shawnee County County, ?
In Shawnee County County, , plant Lobelia after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Shawnee County County, for Lobelia?
Shawnee County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Lobelia grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lobelia grow in Shawnee County County's climate?
Yes — Lobelia grows well in Shawnee County County's temperate climate. Shawnee County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 22.
Your Shawnee County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Shawnee 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.