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When to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Millard County, UT

Millard County, Utah Zone 6a July

July in the garden — Millard County, Utah

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Millard County, Utah this July and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: sedum (stonecrop)

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

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Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile, formerly Sedum spectabile) is a supremely tough, drought-tolerant perennial prized for its late-season interest. The flat-topped clusters of starry flowers open pink in late summer and deepen to copper-red as temperatures cool, remaining attractive well into fall and providing seed heads that feed birds through winter. Succulent foliage emerges blue-green in spring, is handsome all season, and turns bronzy after frost. Remarkably adaptable — thrives in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils where other perennials struggle — and virtually maintenance-free once established.

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sedum (Stonecrop) to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Fall Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Millard County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Millard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🌸 Bloom: Sep 3 – Nov 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 23 🌸 Bloom: Sep 12 – Nov 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: Jun 16 🌸 Bloom: Oct 6 – Dec 22

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 Millard County

How your county's soil matches Sedum (Stonecrop)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Sedum (Stonecrop) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Millard County is excellent for Sedum (Stonecrop) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Sedum (Stonecrop).

How to Plant Sedum (Stonecrop)

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sedum (Stonecrop)

2
successive plantings in your 137-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.

Sedum (Stonecrop) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Sedum (Stonecrop)

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sedum (Stonecrop) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Sedum (Stonecrop) 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.

Sedum (Stonecrop) needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Timeline — Millard County, UT

Sedum (Stonecrop) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Bloom September 12 Sep 12 – Nov 28

Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Millard County

Growing Tips for Sedum (Stonecrop) in Millard County

Direct sow Sedum (Stonecrop) outdoors after May 16 in Millard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Millard County receives only 24" of rain annually. Sedum (Stonecrop) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Plant divisions or container plants in spring after frost danger passes, or in early fall. Excellent drainage is the primary requirement — upright border sedums will rot in wet, heavy soils over winter. Lean soil actually improves performance; avoid over-fertilizing which causes floppy stems. Tall cultivars (Autumn Joy, Matrona) may need light staking in rich soil. Divide every 3–4 years in spring when centers become sparse. Deadhead selectively — leaving seed heads through winter extends ornamental interest and feeds goldfinches. Very low water requirement once established. Year 2+ plants reach full clump size and peak bloom display.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sedum (Stonecrop) in Millard County, UT?

Millard County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Sedum (Stonecrop) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Millard County, UT?

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Millard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Millard 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.

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

Sources & credits

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