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When to plant Geraniums in Ashdown,

Ashdown's 237-day season only supports one Geraniums planting per year. Sow between March 6 and March 20 for the best chance at full maturity before November 12.

When to Plant Geraniums in Ashdown, AR

Ashdown, AR Zone 8b June

Your June gardening checklist

A quick June briefing for Ashdown, AR gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Basket week: geraniums

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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  • First harvests: geraniums

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Geraniums (Pelargonium × hortorum) are tender perennials grown as warm-season annuals throughout North America. Prized for their bold flower clusters, long bloom period, and tolerance of summer heat when planted in well-drained soil, they anchor window boxes, containers, and bed borders from late spring until hard frost. Zones 9b–11b can overwinter plants in the ground.

Ashdown, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,477 feet, Little River County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Geraniums during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Geraniums root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Ashdown, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Ashdown Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Geraniums Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 31 Transplant: Feb 25 🌸 Bloom: May 6 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Mar 6 🌸 Bloom: May 15 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 26 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Nov 5

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 Ashdown

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Geraniums's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Little River County is excellent for Geraniums — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Geraniums.

How to Plant Geraniums

0.1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
14"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Geraniums

3
successive plantings in your 237-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Geraniums Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 91 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Geraniums

Geraniums needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Geraniums Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Geraniums 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.

Geraniums needs ~1,424 GDD — county provides 3,969 GDD Excellent fit

Geraniums Planting Timeline — Ashdown, AR

Geraniums Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 9 Jan 9 – Jan 23
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Bloom May 15 May 15 – Oct 16

Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 14" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Little River County

Growing Tips for Geraniums in Ashdown

Direct sow Geraniums outdoors after March 20 in Little River County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination is slow and erratic without bottom heat (70–75°F). Transplant after frost danger passes. Geraniums rarely direct-sown; cuttings or transplants are the standard. Deadhead spent umbels weekly to maintain continuous bloom. Let soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot. In zones 10–11 plants may be left in ground year-round or overwintered as houseplants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Geraniums in Ashdown, ?

In Ashdown, , plant Geraniums after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ashdown, for Geraniums?

Ashdown sits in USDA Zone 8b. Geraniums grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Geraniums grow in Ashdown's climate?

Yes — Geraniums grows well in Ashdown's temperate climate. Ashdown averages a 237-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Little River County Garden Planner — Free

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