When to Plant Pansy in Johnson County, NE
August in the garden — Johnson County, Nebraska
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Johnson County, Nebraska this August and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Pick pansy
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
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.
Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
At an elevation of 658 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pansy during the growing season.
Johnson County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Pansy 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 Johnson County
How your county's soil matches Pansy's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.5) is more alkaline than Pansy prefers (5.4–6.2). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Johnson 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 (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Pansy.
How to Plant Pansy
Succession Planting Pansy
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.
Pansy Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Johnson 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 Planting Timeline — Johnson County, NE
Pansy Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Bloom | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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 · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
166 days in Johnson County
Growing Tips for Pansy in Johnson County
Direct sow Pansy outdoors after April 24 in Johnson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Johnson County receives only 21" of rain annually. Pansy needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 →
Pansy in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Pansy in Johnson County, NE?
Johnson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Johnson County, NE?
Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson 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.