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When to Plant Impatiens in Garfield County, NE

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.

Garfield County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 587 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 26.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Impatiens to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Garfield County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Garfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Garfield County, NE

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Bloom July 16 Jul 16 – Oct 8

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Garfield County

Growing Tips for Garfield County

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 Garfield County, NE?

Garfield County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garfield County, NE?

Garfield County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

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Your Garfield County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Garfield County (Zone 5a). 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 Garfield County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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