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When to Plant Vinca (Annual) in Uinta County, WY

Uinta County, Wyoming Zone 5a July

July in Uinta County, Wyoming — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Uinta County, Wyoming this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost June 17
Avg. first frost August 31
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Time to transplant vinca (annual)

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

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Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus), also called Madagascar periwinkle, is one of the most heat- and drought-tolerant bedding plants available. Glossy foliage stays attractive all season while cheerful pinwheel blooms continue without deadheading. A top performer in hot, humid Southern summers where impatiens and begonias struggle. Self-cleaning; requires little maintenance once established.

Uinta County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. 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 5,768 feet, Uinta County receives approximately 23.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Vinca (Annual) to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant
Uinta County, WY (Zone 5a) Very short season
75 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
75 growing days
First Fall Frost August 31

Uinta County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Vinca (Annual) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Jun 24 🌸 Bloom: Sep 2 – Nov 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Jul 1 🌸 Bloom: Sep 9 – Nov 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: Jul 8 🌸 Bloom: Sep 16 – Dec 2

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 Uinta County

How your county's soil matches Vinca (Annual)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–8.3) is more alkaline than Vinca (Annual) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Uinta County is excellent for Vinca (Annual) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Vinca (Annual)

0.1"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Vinca (Annual) Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Vinca (Annual)

Vinca (Annual) 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 Vinca (Annual) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Vinca (Annual) 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.

Vinca (Annual) needs ~920 GDD — county provides 862 GDD Tight fit

Vinca (Annual) Planting Timeline — Uinta County, WY

Vinca (Annual) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors July 1 Jul 1 – Jul 15
Bloom September 9 Sep 9 – Nov 25

Plant 0.1" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May
June
July Transplant Outdoors
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

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

75 days in Uinta County

Growing Tips for Vinca (Annual) in Uinta County

Direct sow Vinca (Annual) outdoors after June 17 in Uinta County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 75.0-day growing season in Uinta County is tight for Vinca (Annual) (70.0-90.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination requires warm soil (75–80°F) and darkness. Do not cover seeds deeply; they need just a light dusting. Direct sowing is rarely practiced due to slow seedling establishment. Transplant after soil warms and frost danger has passed. Excellent drought tolerance once established; avoid overwatering. Performs best in well-drained beds or containers in full sun.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Vinca (Annual) in Uinta County, WY?

Uinta County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Vinca (Annual) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Uinta County, WY?

Uinta County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.

🌱

Your Uinta County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Uinta County (Zone 5a). 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 Uinta County, WY. 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.