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When to plant Coreopsis in Flagler County, FL

Flagler County's spring Coreopsis window runs January 15 through February 5. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Flagler County, FL

Flagler County, Florida Zone 9b June

Your June gardening checklist

Your Flagler County, Florida garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost February 5
Avg. first frost December 17
Soil temp (4") 89°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Harvest coreopsis as they ripen

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Get ahead of July
  • 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.

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 134 feet, Flagler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99°F, so Coreopsis may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Coreopsis will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. 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
Flagler County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 17

Flagler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 27 Transplant: Jan 8 🌸 Bloom: Mar 5 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 11 Transplant: Jan 22 🌸 Bloom: Mar 19 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Feb 14 🌸 Bloom: Apr 11 – Sep 12

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 Flagler County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.7) is more acidic than Coreopsis prefers (5.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Coreopsis.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

6
successive plantings in your 315-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 28 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Flagler 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 ~1,698 GDD — county provides 7,663 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Flagler County, FL

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 11 Dec 11 – Dec 25
Transplant Outdoors January 22 Jan 22 – Feb 5
Direct Sow January 15 Jan 15 – Feb 5
Bloom March 19 Mar 19 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

315 days in Flagler County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Flagler County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after February 05 in Flagler County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 99°F in Flagler County, provide afternoon shade for Coreopsis and water deeply in the morning.

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 Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 17.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Flagler County, FL?

In Flagler County, FL, plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around February 5) and before the first frost (around December 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Flagler County, FL for Coreopsis?

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

Can Coreopsis grow in Flagler County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Flagler County's temperate climate. Flagler County averages a 316-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 5 and first frost around December 17.

🌱

Your Flagler County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL. 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.