Blog

When to Plant Impatiens in Fayette County, PA

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.

Fayette County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 250 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Impatiens during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Fayette County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Impatiens

Impatiens needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Impatiens Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fayette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Fayette County, PA

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18
Bloom July 13 Jul 13 – Oct 26

· 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 6b

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Fayette County

Growing Tips for Fayette 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 Fayette County, PA?

Fayette County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, PA?

Fayette County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 18.

🌱

Your Fayette County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fayette County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Fayette County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.