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When to plant Geraniums in Stevens County County,

Stevens County County sits in cold Zone 6b. Plant Geraniums April 27–May 11 for the single annual harvest; the October 16 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Geraniums in Stevens County, KS

Stevens County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Top priorities for Stevens County, Kansas gardeners in June

A quick June briefing for Stevens County, Kansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 20
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: geraniums

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 20). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: geraniums

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Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.

Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,123 feet, Stevens County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Stevens County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Stevens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Geraniums Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 27 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Jul 20 – Oct 26

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 Stevens County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Geraniums prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Geraniums.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Geraniums.

How to Plant Geraniums

0.1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
14"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Geraniums

2
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Geraniums Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,054 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Geraniums

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

Month Geraniums Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Geraniums 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.

Geraniums needs ~1,232 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Geraniums Planting Timeline — Stevens County, KS

Geraniums Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 – May 11
Bloom July 6 Jul 6 – Oct 12

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" 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

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

179 days in Stevens County

Growing Tips for Geraniums in Stevens County

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Geraniums in Stevens County, KS?

Stevens County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Geraniums planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stevens County, KS?

Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

When should I plant Geraniums in Stevens County County, ?

In Stevens County County, , plant Geraniums after the last frost (around April 20) and before the first frost (around October 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Stevens County County, for Geraniums?

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

Can Geraniums grow in Stevens County County's climate?

Yes — Geraniums grows well in Stevens County County's temperate climate. Stevens County County averages a 179-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 20 and first frost around October 16.

🌱

Your Stevens County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stevens 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 Stevens 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.