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When to plant Coreopsis in Coffee County County,

Plant Coreopsis in Coffee County County after March 12; the prime window is February 26–March 19.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Coffee County, AL

Coffee County, Alabama Zone 8b June

Your June planting checklist for Coffee County, Alabama

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

Avg. last frost March 12
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the coreopsis

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

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: coreopsis

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Coreopsis (Tickseed) is a cheerful, long-blooming native perennial that produces a continuous flush of bright yellow, gold, or bi-colored daisy-like flowers from early summer well into fall. One of the most reliable cut-and-come-again bloomers in the perennial garden, it thrives in hot, dry, sunny conditions and poor soil where many competitors struggle. An invaluable nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and a butterfly host plant for several species.

Coffee County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 342 feet, Coffee County receives approximately 55.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Coreopsis may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Coreopsis, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Coreopsis root diseases.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Coffee County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14
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Coffee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Mar 6 🌸 Bloom: May 8 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Mar 12 🌸 Bloom: May 14 – Oct 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🌸 Bloom: Jun 5 – Oct 30

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 Coffee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.7) is within Coreopsis's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Coffee County is excellent for Coreopsis — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Coreopsis prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Coreopsis.

How to Plant Coreopsis

0.1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Coreopsis

4
successive plantings in your 247-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Coreopsis

Coreopsis 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 Coreopsis Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Coreopsis 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.

Coreopsis needs ~1,592 GDD — county provides 5,619 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Coffee County, AL

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 – Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 19
Bloom May 14 May 14 – Oct 8

Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

247 days in Coffee County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Coffee County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after March 12 in Coffee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Coffee County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Coreopsis. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Coffee County, provide afternoon shade for Coreopsis and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Coreopsis in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate easily without stratification. Thrives in poor to average, well-drained soil — rich soil promotes foliage over flowers. Drought tolerant once established; overwatering is the most common mistake. Deadhead spent blooms to maintain continuous flowering through the season. Shear plants by one-third in midsummer for a fresh flush of late-season blooms. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring to rejuvenate crowded clumps.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Coreopsis in Coffee County, AL?

Coffee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffee County, AL?

Coffee County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 14.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Coffee County, ?

In Coffee County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around March 12) and before the first frost (around November 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Coffee County, for Coreopsis?

Coffee County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Coreopsis grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Coreopsis grow in Coffee County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Coffee County's temperate climate. Coffee County averages a 247-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 12 and first frost around November 14.

🌱

Your Coffee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Coffee 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 Coffee County, AL. 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.