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When to plant Anemones in Smith County, KS

Plant Anemones in Smith County, between April 23 and May 7 — the only viable window. Zone 6a's short season (174 frost-free days) rules out a fall crop.

When to Plant Anemones in Smith County, KS

Smith County, Kansas Zone 6a June

What to do in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Smith County, Kansas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 23
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Harvest anemones as they ripen

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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Poppy anemones (Anemone coronaria) produce vivid, poppy-like flowers with striking black centers, in shades of red, blue, purple, white, and bicolor. A cool-season cut flower favorite, they thrive in the mild overlap between winter's end and summer's arrival. In mild-winter zones (7+), fall planting yields a spectacular mid-spring bloom flush that florists prize. In colder zones, spring planting produces summer flowers. The 'Meron' and 'Moissonnier' series dominate commercial cut flower production; 'De Caen' and 'St. Brigid' are standard home garden strains.

Smith County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Smith County receives approximately 26.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Anemones to ensure they mature before fall.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Smith County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Anemones Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🌸 Bloom: May 22 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: May 28 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 Smith County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.3) is more alkaline than Anemones prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Anemones.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Anemones.

How to Plant Anemones

3"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
6"
Between Rows

Anemones Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,241 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Anemones

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

Month Anemones Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Anemones 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.

Anemones needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,262 GDD Excellent fit

Anemones Planting Timeline — Smith County, KS

Anemones Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Bloom May 28 May 28 – Jun 25

Plant 3" deep · 5" apart · Rows 6" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Smith County

Growing Tips for Anemones in Smith County

Direct sow Anemones outdoors after April 23 in Smith County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Soak corms in tepid water for 2–4 hours before planting to rehydrate them. Plant 2–3 inches deep with the flat or rough side down (corms are irregular). Space 4–6 inches apart. Anemones are cool-season plants — they need cool temperatures to set buds; summer heat causes dormancy. In zones 7+, fall planting allows corms to root through winter and bloom in March–April. In zones 5–6, start corms indoors 4 weeks before last frost, then transplant after danger of hard freeze passes. In zones 9–10b, plant from October through January for a succession of blooms. After bloom, allow foliage to die back; corms can be lifted, dried, and stored in a cool, dry place through summer.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Anemones in Smith County, KS?

Smith County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Anemones planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smith County, KS?

Smith County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Anemones in Smith County, KS?

In Smith County, KS, plant Anemones after the last frost (around April 23) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Smith County, KS for Anemones?

Smith County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Anemones grows reliably in zones 5a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Anemones grow in Smith County's climate?

Yes — Anemones grows well in Smith County's temperate climate. Smith County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 23 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Smith County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Smith County (Zone 6a). 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 Smith 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.