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When to plant Bachelor's Button in Ashley County, AR

Spring Bachelor's Button in Ashley County goes in January 29–February 19, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from September 10 to September 24 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Bachelor's Button in Ashley County, AR

Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus), also called cornflower, is a carefree cool-season annual best known for its vivid cobalt-blue flowers — one of the truest blues in the annual garden. It tolerates light frosts, self-seeds prolifically, and thrives in poor to average soils. A traditional cut flower and pollinator magnet, it has been cultivated in gardens for centuries.

Ashley County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 1,028 feet, Ashley County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Bachelor's Button during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Ashley County, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Ashley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bachelor's Button Planting Timeline — Ashley County, AR

Bachelor's Button Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Direct Sow January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 19
Bloom April 30 Apr 30 – Aug 27
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 – Sep 24

Plant 0.3" deep · 12" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Ashley County

Growing Tips for Ashley County

Direct-sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; seeds need a brief cold period for best germination (refrigerate for a few days before planting if spring arrives quickly). In zones 6+, fall-sow for the earliest spring bloom. Thin to 12 inches; do not over-fertilize — too much nitrogen produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Deadhead to prolong blooming or allow self-seeding for a naturalized colony.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Ashley County, AR?

Ashley County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Bachelor's Button planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ashley County, AR?

Ashley County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 5.

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Ashley County, AR?

In Ashley County, AR, plant Bachelor's Button after the last frost (around March 19) and before the first frost (around November 5). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ashley County, AR for Bachelor's Button?

Ashley County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Bachelor's Button grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bachelor's Button grow in Ashley County's climate?

Yes — Bachelor's Button grows well in Ashley County's temperate climate. Ashley County averages a 231-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 19 and first frost around November 5.

🌱

Your Ashley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ashley 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 Ashley County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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