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When to plant Foxglove in Calhoun County County,

Calhoun County County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Plant Foxglove between February 19 (after last frost on March 5) and March 12.

When to Plant Foxglove in Calhoun County, FL

Calhoun County, Florida Zone 9a June

Your June gardening checklist

Here's what deserves your attention in Calhoun County, Florida this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately cottage garden classic, sending up dramatic 3–5 foot spires of tubular flowers — spotted purple, pink, white, or cream — in late spring and early summer. Technically biennial (flowering in its second year), foxglove perpetuates itself so freely from self-sown seed that established plantings appear to be permanent perennials. A key source plant for the heart medication digitalis, all parts are highly toxic if ingested. Bumblebees are the primary pollinators, crawling deep into each bell-shaped flower. Partial shade and cool, moist woodland-edge conditions suit foxglove best; it resents heat and drought.

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 178 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Foxglove during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Foxglove will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Foxglove root diseases.

Perennial Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Calhoun County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Foxglove Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (206 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 29 Transplant: Feb 9 🌸 Bloom: Mar 30 – Apr 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (204 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 19 🌸 Bloom: Apr 9 – Apr 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (204 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 13 🌸 Bloom: May 1 – May 22

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 Calhoun County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–5.7) is more acidic than Foxglove prefers (5.5–6.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Calhoun County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Foxglove will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Foxglove.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Foxglove.

How to Plant Foxglove

0.1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Foxglove

3
successive plantings in your 260-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Foxglove Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 721 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Foxglove

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

Month Foxglove Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 8.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Foxglove 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.

Foxglove needs ~1,975 GDD — county provides 5,135 GDD Excellent fit

Foxglove Planting Timeline — Calhoun County, FL

Foxglove Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 5
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 – Mar 12
Bloom April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

260 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Foxglove in Calhoun County

Direct sow Foxglove outdoors after March 05 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Calhoun County dries quickly — mulch Foxglove with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

General growing tips

Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct-sow outdoors in late spring/early summer for next-year bloom (biennial cycle). Surface-sow — seeds need light to germinate. Transplant after last frost into cool, moist, well-amended soil. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full shade reduces bloom but is tolerated. Keep consistently moist. First-year plants form a basal rosette only; second-year plants produce flower spikes. After bloom, cut the main spike before seed scatters to prevent excessive spreading, or leave some spikes to self-seed for naturalizing. Perennial species (D. grandiflora, D. x mertonensis) maintain clumps without requiring self-seeding. Wear gloves when handling — all plant parts toxic.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Foxglove in Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Foxglove planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, FL?

Calhoun County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

When should I plant Foxglove in Calhoun County, ?

In Calhoun County, , plant Foxglove after the last frost (around March 5) and before the first frost (around November 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Calhoun County, for Foxglove?

Calhoun County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Foxglove grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.

Can Foxglove grow in Calhoun County's climate?

Yes — Foxglove grows well in Calhoun County's temperate climate. Calhoun County averages a 260-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 5 and first frost around November 20.

🌱

Your Calhoun County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Calhoun County (Zone 9a). 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 Calhoun County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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