Blog

When to Plant Impatiens in Kenedy County, TX

Kenedy County, Texas Zone 9b June

Your June gardening checklist

Here's what deserves your attention in Kenedy County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 13
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for impatiens

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: impatiens

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 1,757 feet, Kenedy County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Impatiens may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Impatiens root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly
Kenedy County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 13
Share this guide:

Kenedy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Impatiens Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 23 Transplant: Dec 28 🌸 Bloom: Mar 8 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 19 Transplant: Jan 23 🌸 Bloom: Apr 3 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🌸 Bloom: Apr 24 – Oct 23

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 Kenedy County

How your county's soil matches Impatiens's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.5) is more alkaline than Impatiens prefers (6.0–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kenedy County is excellent for Impatiens — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Impatiens.

How to Plant Impatiens

10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Impatiens

6
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 29 to harvest before frost.

Impatiens Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 511 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering

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

Impatiens 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.

Impatiens needs ~1,738 GDD — county provides 7,828 GDD Excellent fit

Impatiens Planting Timeline — Kenedy County, TX

Impatiens Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 19 Dec 19 – Jan 2
Transplant Outdoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Bloom April 3 Apr 3 – Oct 2

· 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors
February Transplant Outdoors
March
April Bloom
May Bloom
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November
December Start Indoors
Share this guide:

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

303 days in Kenedy County

Growing Tips for Impatiens in Kenedy County

Direct sow Impatiens outdoors after February 13 in Kenedy County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 101°F in Kenedy County, provide afternoon shade for Impatiens and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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 Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Impatiens planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kenedy County, TX?

Kenedy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 13.

🌱

Your Kenedy County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kenedy 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.

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 Kenedy County, TX. 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.