When to plant Foxglove in Washington County County,
For Foxglove in Washington County County, the safe spring window opens around April 28 and closes around May 19. Last expected frost is April 21, first fall frost October 14, giving a 176-day growing season.
When to Plant Foxglove in Washington County, KS
June to-do list for Washington County, Kansas
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Time to start foxglove inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Pick foxglove
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Get ahead of July
- First harvests: foxglove
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.
Washington County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.
At an elevation of 562 feet, Washington County receives approximately 26.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Foxglove to ensure they mature before fall.
Washington County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Foxglove 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 Washington County
How your county's soil matches Foxglove's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) is more alkaline than Foxglove prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Washington County is excellent for Foxglove — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Foxglove.
How to Plant Foxglove
Succession Planting Foxglove
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 16 to harvest before frost.
Foxglove Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Foxglove
Foxglove needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Foxglove Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.4" | 1.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Washington County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Foxglove 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.
Foxglove Planting Timeline — Washington County, KS
Foxglove Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Direct Sow | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 19 |
| Bloom | June 23 | Jun 23 – Jul 28 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
176 days in Washington County
Growing Tips for Foxglove in Washington County
Direct sow Foxglove outdoors after April 21 in Washington County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Foxglove in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Foxglove in Washington County, KS?
Washington County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Washington County, KS?
Washington County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 14.
When should I plant Foxglove in Washington County County, ?
In Washington County County, , plant Foxglove after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Washington County County, for Foxglove?
Washington County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Foxglove grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Foxglove grow in Washington County County's climate?
Yes — Foxglove grows well in Washington County County's temperate climate. Washington County County averages a 176-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 14.
Your Washington County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Washington 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.