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When to Plant Snapdragon in Washington County, UT

Washington County, Utah Zone 8b June

Your June gardening checklist

Your Washington County, Utah garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Sow snapdragon in trays indoors

    You're about 18 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Bring in the snapdragon

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: snapdragon

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Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,524 feet, Washington County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Snapdragon during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Snapdragon successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Washington County, UT (Zone 8b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Snapdragon Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Feb 20 🌸 Bloom: May 1 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 16 🌸 Bloom: May 25 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 6 🌸 Bloom: Jul 15 – Nov 18

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 Washington County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.0) is more alkaline than Snapdragon prefers (6.2–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Snapdragon.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Snapdragon.

How to Plant Snapdragon

9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Snapdragon

3
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Snapdragon Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Snapdragon

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

Month Snapdragon Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Snapdragon 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.

Snapdragon needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Snapdragon Planting Timeline — Washington County, UT

Snapdragon Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Bloom May 25 May 25 – Sep 28
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6

· 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.2–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Washington County

Growing Tips for Snapdragon in Washington County

Direct sow Snapdragon outdoors after April 06 in Washington County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Washington County receives only 13" of rain annually. Snapdragon needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Snapdragon in Washington County, UT?

Washington County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Snapdragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, UT?

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Washington County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Washington County (Zone 8b). 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 Washington County, UT. 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.