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When to plant Pansy in Conception, MO

Conception's short 174-day growing season means one Pansy planting between April 22 and May 6. No fall crop in Zone 5b.

When to Plant Pansy in Conception, MO

Nodaway County, Missouri Zone 5b June

Nodaway County, Missouri gardeners: here's your June plan

June is a pivotal month for Nodaway County, Missouri gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 13
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Start harvesting pansy

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • Starting indoors: pansy
  • First harvests: pansy

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Conception, Missouri is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 950 feet, Nodaway County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pansy to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Conception, MO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Conception Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jun 17 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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 Conception

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Pansy's range (5.4–6.2), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Pansy.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Pansy.

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Pansy

2
successive plantings in your 174-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 15 to harvest before frost.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

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

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pansy 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.

Pansy needs ~980 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Conception, MO

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Bloom June 17 Jun 17 – Aug 19

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Nodaway County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Conception

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after April 22 in Nodaway County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Pansy in Conception, MO?

In Conception, MO, plant Pansy after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Conception, MO for Pansy?

Conception sits in USDA Zone 5b. Pansy grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pansy grow in Conception's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Conception's temperate climate. Conception averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Nodaway County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nodaway County (Zone 5b). 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 Nodaway County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.