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When to plant Coreopsis in Perry County County,

Spring Coreopsis in Perry County County goes in March 19–April 9, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Perry County, AR

Perry County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

This month in Perry County, Arkansas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for coreopsis

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

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 663 feet, Perry County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season. 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
Perry County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Perry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Mar 15 🌸 Bloom: May 17 – Oct 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 26 🌸 Bloom: May 28 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 17 – Nov 11

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 Perry County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) is within Coreopsis's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Perry 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 (2.6%). 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 228-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Perry 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 ~1,330 GDD — county provides 4,332 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Perry County, AR

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 9
Bloom May 28 May 28 – Oct 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8a

📆 Growing Season

228 days in Perry County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Perry County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after March 26 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Perry County, AR?

Perry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Perry County, AR?

Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 9.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Perry County, ?

In Perry County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around March 26) and before the first frost (around November 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Perry County, for Coreopsis?

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

Can Coreopsis grow in Perry County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Perry County's temperate climate. Perry County averages a 228-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 26 and first frost around November 9.

🌱

Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Perry County (Zone 8a). 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 Perry County, AR. 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.