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When to plant Daylily in Pope County, MN

Pope County's 152-day season only supports one Daylily planting per year. Sow between May 18 and June 1 for the best chance at full maturity before October 3.

When to Plant Daylily in Pope County, MN

Pope County, Minnesota Zone 4b July

July in the garden — Pope County, Minnesota

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Pope County, Minnesota this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for daylily

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

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: daylily

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Hemerocallis (Daylily) is one of the most adaptable and trouble-free perennials in cultivation. Though each flower lasts only a single day, established clumps produce dozens to hundreds of buds per stem, delivering weeks of continuous color through summer. Modern hybrids extend the range from pale cream and melon through deep burgundy and purple. Nearly indestructible once established — tolerating poor soil, drought, competition, and neglect — daylilies form dense spreading clumps that effectively suppress weeds. An excellent low-maintenance choice for slopes, borders, and naturalized areas.

Pope County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 1,061 feet, Pope County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Daylily to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Pope County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Pope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Daylily Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Aug 10 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Aug 17 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 31 🌸 Bloom: Aug 30 – Nov 8

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 Pope County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.0) is within Daylily's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pope County is excellent for Daylily — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Daylily will thrive.

How to Plant Daylily

1"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Daylily

2
successive plantings in your 152-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.

Daylily Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 Daylily

Daylily 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 Daylily Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Daylily 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.

Daylily needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,976 GDD Excellent fit

Daylily Planting Timeline — Pope County, MN

Daylily Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Bloom August 17 Aug 17 – Oct 26

Plant 1" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

152 days in Pope County

Growing Tips for Daylily in Pope County

Direct sow Daylily outdoors after May 04 in Pope County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Daylilies are most commonly propagated by division rather than seed; cultivar seeds do not come true. Transplant bare-root or potted divisions in early spring or fall, setting crowns no more than 1 inch below soil level. If starting from seed (species types only), start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Established plants are extremely drought-tolerant; moderate water during bloom period improves flower quality. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor. In warm zones (8+), some cultivars are evergreen; in cold zones, foliage dies back each fall. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily — first-year transplants may produce limited flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daylily in Pope County, MN?

Pope County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pope County, MN?

Pope County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Daylily in Pope County, MN?

In Pope County, MN, plant Daylily after the last frost (around May 4) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pope County, MN for Daylily?

Pope County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Daylily grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Daylily grow in Pope County's climate?

Yes — Daylily grows well in Pope County's temperate climate. Pope County averages a 152-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 4 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Pope County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pope County (Zone 4b). 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 Pope County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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