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When to plant Pansy in Franklin County County,

The best window to plant Pansy in Franklin County County, is January 28–February 11, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits February 25; first frost November 28. A second sowing from September 5 to September 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in Franklin County, FL

Franklin County, Florida Zone 9a June

Your June planting checklist for Franklin County, Florida

Each item below is timed to Franklin County, Florida's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost February 25
Avg. first frost November 28
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Start harvesting pansy

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

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Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) are beloved cool-season annuals offering some of the widest color range in the annual garden. Their cheerful "faces" appear in early spring — or even late winter in mild climates — and hold up remarkably well through frosts. Heat causes them to go leggy and stop blooming; replace with warm-season annuals once daytime temps exceed 70°F.

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 487 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 59.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Pansy may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Pansy will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pansy root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Franklin County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 30 Transplant: Jan 11 🌸 Bloom: Mar 1 – May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 17 Transplant: Jan 28 🌸 Bloom: Mar 18 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 17 🌸 Bloom: Apr 7 – Jul 7

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 Franklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.0) overlaps with Pansy's range (5.4–6.2), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Pansy.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Pansy

0.3"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

4
successive plantings in your 276-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 966 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Pansy

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

Month Pansy Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Pansy 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.

Pansy needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 6,094 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Franklin County, FL

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 17 Dec 17 – Dec 31
Transplant Outdoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Bloom March 18 Mar 18 – Jun 17
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

Plant 0.3" deep · 7" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.4–6.2 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

276 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Franklin County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after February 25 in Franklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Franklin County, provide afternoon shade for Pansy and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost for spring transplants. In zones 6+, fall planting (8-10 weeks before first frost) gives overwintering plants that bloom earliest in spring. Plant in full sun in cool weather; afternoon shade helps extend bloom in zones 7-8. Deadhead to prevent premature seed set. Shear back by one-third when plants go leggy to extend the season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pansy in Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

When should I plant Pansy in Franklin County County, ?

In Franklin County County, , plant Pansy after the last frost (around February 25) and before the first frost (around November 28). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Franklin County County, for Pansy?

Franklin County County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Pansy grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Pansy grow in Franklin County County's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Franklin County County's temperate climate. Franklin County County averages a 277-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 25 and first frost around November 28.

🌱

Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Franklin 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 Franklin 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.