When to Plant Dianthus in Grady County, OK
China pinks (Dianthus chinensis) are a reliable cool-season annual offering fringed blooms with a spicy-sweet clove fragrance. They perform best in the cool temperatures of spring and fall, providing vivid color in beds and borders when summer annuals haven't kicked in yet. In warmer zones they are grown as fall–winter–spring annuals. The compact mounding habit and clean foliage make them excellent edging and container plants.
Grady County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.
At an elevation of 599 feet, Grady County receives approximately 29.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Dianthus during the growing season.
Grady County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Dianthus Planting Timeline — Grady County, OK
Dianthus Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Direct Sow | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 19 |
| Bloom | April 23 | Apr 23 – Jul 16 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
217 days in Grady County
Growing Tips for Grady County
Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost for spring transplants, or direct-sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked — seeds tolerate light frost. Can also be direct-sown in late summer for fall bloom. Plant in full sun with excellent drainage; poorly drained soil causes crown rot. Deadhead regularly to extend bloom. In zones 8–10, plant as a fall annual for winter– spring color; plants decline in summer heat.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Dianthus in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Dianthus in Grady County, OK?
Grady County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Dianthus planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grady County, OK?
Grady County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 5.
Your Grady County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Grady County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.