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When to plant Impatiens in Sumner County County,

Sumner County County sits in cold Zone 7a. Plant Impatiens April 18–May 2 for the single annual harvest; the October 26 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Impatiens in Sumner County, KS

Sumner County, Kansas Zone 7a June

Sumner County, Kansas gardeners: here's your June plan

Your garden in Sumner County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Get impatiens seeds going inside

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

  2. Basket week: impatiens

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

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: impatiens

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Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are the go-to annual for shaded beds and containers. They produce a continuous carpet of flat-faced blooms from transplant until frost, needing little deadheading. Their preference for consistent moisture and part-shade makes them ideal under trees and along north-facing borders.

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 637 feet, Sumner County receives approximately 29 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Impatiens during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Sumner County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Sumner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🌸 Bloom: Jun 21 – Oct 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jul 11 – Oct 31

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 Sumner County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.8) is more alkaline than Impatiens prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Impatiens.

How to Plant Impatiens

10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Impatiens

3
successive plantings in your 198-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

Impatiens 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 814 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Impatiens

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

Month Impatiens Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Impatiens 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.

Impatiens needs ~928 GDD — county provides 2,722 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Sumner County, KS

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Bloom June 27 Jun 27 – Oct 17

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

198 days in Sumner County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Sumner County

Direct sow Impatiens outdoors after April 11 in Sumner County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost at 70–75°F; germination requires light — do not cover seeds. Transplant after last frost once nights consistently exceed 50°F. Water regularly — wilting causes bud drop and they rarely fully recover the same flush. Watch for impatiens downy mildew (IDM); consider New Guinea impatiens as a resistant alternative in affected regions. Pinch tips at planting to encourage branching.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Impatiens in Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Impatiens in Sumner County County, ?

In Sumner County County, , plant Impatiens after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sumner County County, for Impatiens?

Sumner County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Impatiens grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Impatiens grow in Sumner County County's climate?

Yes — Impatiens grows well in Sumner County County's temperate climate. Sumner County County averages a 198-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Sumner County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sumner 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 Sumner 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.