When to Plant Foxglove in Morgan County, UT
Top priorities for Morgan County, Utah gardeners in June
Here's what deserves your attention in Morgan County, Utah this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Set out foxglove seedlings
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
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Seed foxglove outdoors
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.
Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is August 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 75 days.
At an elevation of 6,439 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Foxglove to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Foxglove successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Morgan County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Foxglove 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 Morgan County
How your county's soil matches Foxglove's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.1) is more alkaline than Foxglove prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Morgan County is excellent for Foxglove — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Foxglove.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Foxglove.
How to Plant Foxglove
Foxglove Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Foxglove
Foxglove needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Foxglove Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Jun | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Oct | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Morgan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Foxglove 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.
Foxglove Planting Timeline — Morgan County, UT
Foxglove Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 15 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 24 | Jun 24 – Jul 8 |
| Direct Sow | June 24 | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Bloom | August 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
75 days in Morgan County
Growing Tips for Foxglove in Morgan County
Direct sow Foxglove outdoors after June 17 in Morgan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 75.0-day growing season in Morgan County is tight for Foxglove (80.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
Morgan County receives only 14" of rain annually. Foxglove needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Foxglove in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Foxglove in Morgan County, UT?
Morgan County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Morgan County, UT?
Morgan County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.
Your Morgan County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Morgan 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.