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When to plant Ageratum in Sutter County County,

Plant Ageratum in Sutter County County, when soil hits 50°F — usually February 11. Continue planting through March 4 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Ageratum in Sutter County, CA

Sutter County, California Zone 9b June

Your June game plan for Sutter County, California

Your garden in Sutter County, California is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Collect ageratum at their peak

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Sutter County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Sutter County receives approximately 21.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Ageratum during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Sutter County, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Sutter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 27 Transplant: Jan 17 🌸 Bloom: Mar 14 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 11 🌸 Bloom: Apr 8 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 6 🌸 Bloom: Jun 1 – Nov 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 Sutter County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) is more alkaline than Ageratum prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Sutter County is excellent for Ageratum — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Ageratum.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

5
successive plantings in your 267-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 12 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,747 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

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

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.1" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Ageratum 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.

Ageratum needs ~1,080 GDD — county provides 4,272 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Sutter County, CA

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Bloom April 8 Apr 8 – Oct 7

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Bloom
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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

267 days in Sutter County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Sutter County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after March 04 in Sutter County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Sutter County receives only 21" of rain annually. Ageratum needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sutter County, CA?

Sutter County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Ageratum in Sutter County County, ?

In Sutter County County, , plant Ageratum after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sutter County County, for Ageratum?

Sutter County County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Sutter County County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Sutter County County's temperate climate. Sutter County County averages a 267-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Sutter County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sutter County (Zone 9b). 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 Sutter County, CA. 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.