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When to plant Daylily in Mesa County County,

Mesa County County sits in cold Zone 7a. Plant Daylily May 8–May 22 for the single annual harvest; the October 9 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Daylily in Mesa County, CO

Mesa County, Colorado Zone 7a June

June to-do list for Mesa County, Colorado

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Mesa County, Colorado this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 9
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
July will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: daylily
  • First harvests: daylily

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Hemerocallis (Daylily) is one of the most adaptable and trouble-free perennials in cultivation. Though each flower lasts only a single day, established clumps produce dozens to hundreds of buds per stem, delivering weeks of continuous color through summer. Modern hybrids extend the range from pale cream and melon through deep burgundy and purple. Nearly indestructible once established — tolerating poor soil, drought, competition, and neglect — daylilies form dense spreading clumps that effectively suppress weeds. An excellent low-maintenance choice for slopes, borders, and naturalized areas.

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 6,091 feet, Mesa County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Daylily during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Mesa County, CO (Zone 7a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9
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Mesa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Daylily Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🌸 Bloom: Jul 8 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 8 🌸 Bloom: Jul 17 – Nov 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: May 21 🌸 Bloom: Jul 30 – Dec 3

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 Mesa County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.1) is more alkaline than Daylily prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Daylily.

How to Plant Daylily

1"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Daylily

3
successive plantings in your 161-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

Daylily Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Daylily

Daylily 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 Daylily Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Daylily 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.

Daylily needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 2,938 GDD Excellent fit

Daylily Planting Timeline — Mesa County, CO

Daylily Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 – May 22
Bloom July 17 Jul 17 – Nov 20

Plant 1" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Mesa County

Growing Tips for Daylily in Mesa County

Direct sow Daylily outdoors after May 01 in Mesa County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Mesa County receives only 23" of rain annually. Daylily needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Daylilies are most commonly propagated by division rather than seed; cultivar seeds do not come true. Transplant bare-root or potted divisions in early spring or fall, setting crowns no more than 1 inch below soil level. If starting from seed (species types only), start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Established plants are extremely drought-tolerant; moderate water during bloom period improves flower quality. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor. In warm zones (8+), some cultivars are evergreen; in cold zones, foliage dies back each fall. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily — first-year transplants may produce limited flowers.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daylily in Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mesa County, CO?

Mesa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Daylily in Mesa County County, ?

In Mesa County County, , plant Daylily after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mesa County County, for Daylily?

Mesa County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Daylily grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Daylily grow in Mesa County County's climate?

Yes — Daylily grows well in Mesa County County's temperate climate. Mesa County County averages a 161-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Mesa County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mesa County (Zone 7a). 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 Mesa County, CO. 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.