When to Plant Foxglove in Walla Walla County, WA
Your June game plan for Walla Walla County, Washington
Here's what deserves your attention in Walla Walla County, Washington this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Get foxglove seeds going inside
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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Pick foxglove
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: foxglove
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.
Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 3,151 feet, Walla Walla County receives approximately 23.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Foxglove during the growing season.
Walla Walla County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
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 Walla Walla County
How your county's soil matches Foxglove's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) overlaps with Foxglove's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Walla Walla County is excellent for Foxglove — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Foxglove will thrive.
How to Plant Foxglove
Succession Planting Foxglove
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 17 to harvest before frost.
Foxglove Water Budget
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 | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 1.7" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 0.4" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 0.5" | 3.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 0.9" | 3.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Walla Walla 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 — Walla Walla County, WA
Foxglove Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 23 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Bloom | June 15 | Jun 15 – Jul 20 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
178 days in Walla Walla County
Growing Tips for Foxglove in Walla Walla County
Direct sow Foxglove outdoors after April 20 in Walla Walla County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Walla Walla County receives only 24" 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 Walla Walla County, WA?
Walla Walla County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Walla Walla County, WA?
Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 15.
Your Walla Walla County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Walla Walla County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.