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When to plant Pansy in Lee County County,

For Lee County County, gardeners: plant Pansy December 10 through December 24 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from September 12 to September 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in Lee County, FL

Lee County, Florida Zone 10b June

June to-do list for Lee 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 January 28
Avg. first frost December 19
Soil temp (4") 87°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Survive, don't thrive

    June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.

  2. Start fall tomato seeds indoors

    Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.

  3. Add compost to empty beds

    Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.

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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.

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Pansy during the growing season. 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
Lee County, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 28
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (260 days to spare)
Transplant: Dec 1 🌸 Bloom: Jan 12 – Mar 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (262 days to spare)
Transplant: Dec 10 🌸 Bloom: Jan 21 – Apr 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (234 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 11 🌸 Bloom: Feb 22 – May 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 Lee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–5.9) overlaps with Pansy's range (5.4–6.2), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lee 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 (1.4%). 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 14 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Pansy

5
successive plantings in your 325-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 12.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,469 gal / 100 sq ft

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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 4,727 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — Lee County, FL

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors December 10 Dec 10 – Dec 24
Bloom January 21 Jan 21 – Apr 1
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 – Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 10b

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Pansy in Lee County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after January 28 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Lee County, FL?

Lee County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Pansy planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, FL?

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 19.

When should I plant Pansy in Lee County County, ?

In Lee County County, , plant Pansy after the last frost (around January 28) and before the first frost (around December 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lee County County, for Pansy?

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

Can Pansy grow in Lee County County's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in Lee County County's temperate climate. Lee County County averages a 326-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 28 and first frost around December 19.

🌱

Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 10b). 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 Lee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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