When to Plant Lobelia in Curry County, OR
This month in Curry County, Oregon
Here's what deserves your attention in Curry County, Oregon this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a cool-season annual prized for the intense cobalt blue that is rare among bedding flowers. It blooms most prolifically in spring and early summer but stalls or dies back during heat peaks above 90°F. In zones 3–7 it delivers a long display; in zones 8–9 it is best treated as a spring annual that fades by midsummer. Trailing types cascade beautifully from containers and window boxes.
Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.
At an elevation of 295 feet, Curry County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Lobelia during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lobelia root diseases.
Curry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Lobelia 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 Curry County
How your county's soil matches Lobelia's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Lobelia's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Curry County is excellent for Lobelia — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.4%) — Lobelia will thrive.
How to Plant Lobelia
Succession Planting Lobelia
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.
Lobelia Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lobelia
Lobelia needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lobelia Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 8.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.8" | 3.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 4.3" | 8.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 7.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Curry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lobelia 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.
Lobelia Planting Timeline — Curry County, OR
Lobelia Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 24 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 17 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 |
| Bloom | March 14 | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
· 6" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9b
📆 Growing Season
245 days in Curry County
Growing Tips for Lobelia in Curry County
Direct sow Lobelia outdoors after March 21 in Curry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine and requires light to germinate; surface-sow and press gently. Keep at 65–70°F. Not reliably direct-sown. Transplant in cool weather, 2–4 weeks before last frost date is acceptable in zones 5+. Shear plants by one-third after the first bloom flush to encourage a second flush in fall. Provide afternoon shade in zones 7+ to extend bloom into summer.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lobelia in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lobelia in Curry County, OR?
Curry County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Lobelia planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Curry County, OR?
Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 21.
Your Curry County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Curry County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.