When to Plant Ageratum in Pawnee County, NE
Top priorities for Pawnee County, Nebraska gardeners in June
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Pawnee County, Nebraska.
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Start ageratum under lights
These need a head start before your last frost (April 24). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Collect ageratum at their peak
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: ageratum
Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.
Pawnee County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 6a. 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 936 feet, Pawnee County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.
Pawnee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Ageratum 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 Pawnee County
How your county's soil matches Ageratum's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.7) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Pawnee County is excellent for Ageratum — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Ageratum.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.
How to Plant Ageratum
Succession Planting Ageratum
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
Ageratum Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum
Ageratum needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Ageratum Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.2" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Pawnee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Ageratum 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.
Ageratum Planting Timeline — Pawnee County, NE
Ageratum Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Bloom | June 19 | Jun 19 – Sep 25 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–75 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
166 days in Pawnee County
Growing Tips for Ageratum in Pawnee County
Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after April 24 in Pawnee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Ageratum in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Ageratum in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Ageratum in Pawnee County, NE?
Pawnee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Pawnee County, NE?
Pawnee County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Pawnee County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Pawnee 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.