Blog

When to plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Thomas County County,

In Thomas County County, Sedum (Stonecrop) is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 7–May 21 for an 90-day harvest, finishing well before the October 12 first frost.

When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Thomas County, KS

Thomas County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Your June game plan for Thomas County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • Starting indoors: sedum (stonecrop)

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.

Thomas County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 810 feet, Thomas County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Sedum (Stonecrop) during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Thomas County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12
Share this guide:

Thomas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Aug 22 – Nov 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🌸 Bloom: Aug 27 – Nov 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 21 🌸 Bloom: Sep 10 – Nov 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 Thomas County

How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.5) is more alkaline than Sedum (Stonecrop) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Thomas County is excellent for Sedum (Stonecrop) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Sedum (Stonecrop) will thrive.

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)

3
successive plantings in your 165-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum (Stonecrop) 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 Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Sedum (Stonecrop) 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.

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 2,640 GDD Excellent fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Thomas County, KS

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Bloom August 27 Aug 27 – Nov 12

Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Thomas County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Thomas County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after April 30 in Thomas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Thomas County, KS?

Thomas County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thomas County, KS?

Thomas County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Thomas County, ?

In Thomas County, , plant Sedum (Stonecrop) after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Thomas County, for Sedum (Stonecrop)?

Thomas County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Sedum (Stonecrop) grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Sedum (Stonecrop) grow in Thomas County's climate?

Yes — Sedum (Stonecrop) grows well in Thomas County's temperate climate. Thomas County averages a 165-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 12.

🌱

Your Thomas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Thomas 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Thomas 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.