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When to plant Daffodils in Jefferson County County,

For Jefferson County County, gardeners: plant Daffodils mid-spring through late spring once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from October 24 to November 7 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Daffodils in Jefferson County, FL

Jefferson County, Florida Zone 9a June

Your June planting checklist for Jefferson County, Florida

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 21
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs

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Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are among the most dependable and longest-lived of all spring bulbs. Their cheerful yellow and white blooms emerge in early spring, often while frost is still possible, bringing color weeks before most other flowers. Unlike tulips, established clumps naturalize readily — spreading and returning reliably year after year without replanting. Deer and rodents avoid them due to toxic alkaloids in the bulb and sap, making them a low-maintenance choice for naturalized areas, woodland edges, and mixed borders.

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 257 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 56 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Daffodils may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Daffodils will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daffodils root diseases.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Jefferson County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
257 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
257 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Daffodils Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (245 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🌸 Bloom: Feb 18 – Mar 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (250 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🌸 Bloom: Feb 23 – Mar 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (253 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🌸 Bloom: Mar 13 – Apr 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 Jefferson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–5.9) is more acidic than Daffodils prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Daffodils.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Daffodils.

How to Plant Daffodils

7"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
8"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 4 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daffodils

15
successive plantings in your 257-day season

Sow every 2.3 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 24.

Daffodils Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Daffodils

Daffodils 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 Daffodils Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Daffodils 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.

Daffodils needs ~638 GDD — county provides 5,461 GDD Excellent fit

Daffodils Planting Timeline — Jefferson County, FL

Daffodils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom October 10 Oct 10 – Oct 31
Fall Sowing October 24 Oct 24 – Nov 7

Plant 7" deep · 7" apart · Rows 8" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

20–40 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

257 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Daffodils in Jefferson County

Direct sow Daffodils outdoors after March 09 in Jefferson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 257.0-day season in Jefferson County allows multiple plantings of Daffodils. Sow every 10.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Daffodils in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Plant bulbs pointed-end up in fall, 6–8 inches deep and 6–8 inches apart in well-drained soil. Allow 12–16 weeks of cold dormancy for proper vernalization. Do not cut back foliage until it turns yellow (6–8 weeks after bloom) — the dying leaves photosynthesize energy into the bulb for next year. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps every 4–5 years in summer after foliage dies back. In zones 7b–9b, select heat-tolerant cultivars (Jonquilla, Tazetta, and Cyclamineus divisions) that perform better with less chill than large-cupped types. Zones 10+: insufficient winter cold; pre-chilling is required but results inconsistent — not recommended for outdoor culture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daffodils in Jefferson County, FL?

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

What planting zone is Jefferson County, FL?

Jefferson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 21.

When should I plant Daffodils in Jefferson County County, ?

In Jefferson County County, , plant Daffodils after the last frost (around March 9) and before the first frost (around November 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jefferson County County, for Daffodils?

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

Can Daffodils grow in Jefferson County County's climate?

Yes — Daffodils grows well in Jefferson County County's temperate climate. Jefferson County County averages a 257-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 9 and first frost around November 21.

🌱

Your Jefferson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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