Gardening in Great Bend, Kansas: A Complete Guide to Planting Zones and Clay Soil Success

Great Bend, Kansas sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, with winter temperatures that can dip to -10°F. This central Kansas location experiences hot summers, cold winters, and presents unique challenges for gardeners—particularly due to its predominantly clay soil. But don't worry! With the right plant selections and care practices, you can create a thriving garden landscape that handles these conditions beautifully.

Understanding Great Bend's Planting Zone

Great Bend falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, making it suitable for plants that can withstand winter temperatures as low as -10°F. The growing season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October, giving gardeners about 170 frost-free days to work with.

The region also experiences:

• Hot, sometimes dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F

• Cold winters with occasional snow cover

• Average annual precipitation of about 26 inches

• Potential for drought conditions and high winds

Working with Clay Soil

Clay soil in Great Bend presents both challenges and benefits:

Challenges:

• Compacts easily, reducing air and water movement

• Drains poorly, potentially causing root rot

• Warms slowly in spring

• Can form a hard crust when dry

Benefits:

• Retains nutrients exceptionally well

• Holds moisture during dry periods

• Provides stability for larger plants and trees

Improving Clay Soil:

• Add organic matter (compost, aged manure, leaf mold) regularly

• Avoid working soil when wet

• Use raised beds where drainage is a significant concern

• Apply mulch to prevent crusting and retain moisture

• Consider adding sand and organic matter to gradually improve structure

Light Conditions Explained

Full Sun vs. Full Shade

Full Sun: Areas receiving 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. In Kansas, full sun exposure can be intense, especially during summer afternoons.

Partial Sun/Partial Shade: Areas receiving 3-6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for many plants in Great Bend's climate.

Full Shade: Areas receiving less than 3 hours of direct sunlight or only filtered light throughout the day. Often found under dense tree canopies or on the north side of structures.

Best Plants for Great Bend Clay Soils

Trees for Clay Soil

Full Sun Trees:

• Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) - Drought-tolerant once established; water deeply twice monthly

• Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) - Moderate water needs; weekly watering during establishment

• Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) - Adaptable to drought; water bi-weekly

• Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) - Moderate water needs; weekly deep watering

Partial Sun Trees:

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis) - Moderate water needs; weekly watering during dry periods

• American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) - Consistent moisture needed; water twice weekly during dry spells

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) - Regular watering needed; twice weekly when establishing

Shade-Tolerant Trees:

• Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) - Moderate moisture needs; weekly watering

• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) - Regular moisture required; twice weekly when young

Shrubs for Clay Soil

Full Sun Shrubs:

• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) - Drought tolerant once established; water weekly

• Sumac (Rhus spp.) - Low water needs; bi-weekly deep watering

• Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) - Moderate water needs; weekly watering

• American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) - Weekly watering when establishing

Partial Sun/Shade Shrubs:

• Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) - Regular water; twice weekly in summer

• Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) - Moderate water needs; weekly deep watering

• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) - Moderate moisture; weekly watering

Full Shade Shrubs:

• Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) - Consistent moisture; twice weekly watering

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) - Regular water; twice weekly in dry periods

• Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) - Moderate water; weekly watering

Perennials for Clay Soil

Full Sun Perennials:

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) - Low to moderate water; weekly watering

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) - Drought tolerant; bi-weekly deep watering

• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) - Low water needs; minimal watering once established

• Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) - Low water requirements; bi-weekly watering

Partial Sun/Shade Perennials:

• Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) - Regular moisture; weekly watering

• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) - Moderate moisture; weekly watering

• Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) - Moderate water; weekly deep watering

• Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) - Regular water; weekly watering, more during drought

Full Shade Perennials:

• Hosta (Hosta spp.) - Regular moisture; twice weekly watering

• Ferns (various native species) - Consistent moisture; twice weekly watering

• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) - Regular water; twice weekly watering

• Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) - Consistent moisture; twice weekly in summer

Watering Guidelines

Best Times to Water

• Early morning (5-9 AM) is ideal - reduces evaporation and fungal issues

• Evening watering (after 6 PM) is acceptable but may increase disease risk

• Avoid midday watering when evaporation rates are highest

Water Requirements by Plant Type

Newly planted specimens (all types):

• Water thoroughly at planting

• Water every 2-3 days for first two weeks

• Gradually extend to weekly deep watering for first growing season

Established Trees:

• Deep watering (equivalent of 1-2 inches of rainfall) once every 7-14 days during dry periods

• Focus water at drip line, not trunk

• Water more frequently during extreme heat or drought

Established Shrubs:

• Deep watering once weekly during growing season

• Increase to twice weekly during drought or temperatures above 95°F

• Reduce to bi-weekly or monthly during cooler weather

Perennials:

• Shallow-rooted perennials: Water when top inch of soil is dry (typically 1-2 times weekly)

• Deep-rooted native perennials: Less frequent but deeper watering (every 7-10 days)

• All perennials need more frequent watering during establishment (first year)

Water Conservation Tips

• Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation rather than sprinklers

• Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to retain soil moisture

• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth

• Group plants with similar water requirements together

By selecting appropriate plants for Great Bend's clay soil and understanding the proper care needed for each light exposure, you can create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that thrives in Kansas conditions. Remember that native and adapted plants will generally require less maintenance and water once established, making them excellent choices for environmentally conscious gardeners.