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When to plant Bachelor's Button in Nassau County County,

In Zone 9a (Nassau County County), direct-sow Bachelor's Button between December 20 and January 10 for spring, after the February 14 last-frost mark. A second sowing from September 22 to October 6 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Bachelor's Button in Nassau County, FL

Nassau County, Florida Zone 9a June

Nassau County, Florida gardeners: here's your June plan

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

Avg. last frost February 14
Avg. first frost December 1
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the bachelor's button

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: bachelor's button

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Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus), also called cornflower, is a carefree cool-season annual best known for its vivid cobalt-blue flowers — one of the truest blues in the annual garden. It tolerates light frosts, self-seeds prolifically, and thrives in poor to average soils. A traditional cut flower and pollinator magnet, it has been cultivated in gardens for centuries.

Nassau County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 290 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Nassau County receives approximately 57.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Bachelor's Button may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Bachelor's Button will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Bachelor's Button root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Nassau County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
290 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
290 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1
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Nassau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Bachelor's Button Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 10 🌸 Bloom: Mar 7 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🌸 Bloom: Mar 14 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🌸 Bloom: Apr 20 – Aug 10

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 Nassau County

How your county's soil matches Bachelor's Button's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–5.8) is more acidic than Bachelor's Button prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Nassau County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Bachelor's Button will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Bachelor's Button.

How to Plant Bachelor's Button

0.3"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Bachelor's Button

5
successive plantings in your 290-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 22.

Bachelor's Button Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Bachelor's Button

Bachelor's Button 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 Bachelor's Button Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

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

Bachelor's Button 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.

Bachelor's Button needs ~1,931 GDD — county provides 7,493 GDD Excellent fit

Bachelor's Button Planting Timeline — Nassau County, FL

Bachelor's Button Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Direct Sow December 20 Dec 20 – Jan 10
Bloom March 14 Mar 14 – Jul 4
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 – Oct 6

Plant 0.3" deep · 12" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

290 days in Nassau County

Growing Tips for Bachelor's Button in Nassau County

Direct sow Bachelor's Button outdoors after February 14 in Nassau County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Nassau County dries quickly — mulch Bachelor's Button with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 101°F in Nassau County, provide afternoon shade for Bachelor's Button and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Bachelor's Button in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct-sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; seeds need a brief cold period for best germination (refrigerate for a few days before planting if spring arrives quickly). In zones 6+, fall-sow for the earliest spring bloom. Thin to 12 inches; do not over-fertilize — too much nitrogen produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Deadhead to prolong blooming or allow self-seeding for a naturalized colony.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Nassau County, FL?

Nassau County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Bachelor's Button planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nassau County, FL?

Nassau County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 1.

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Nassau County, ?

In Nassau County, , plant Bachelor's Button after the last frost (around February 14) and before the first frost (around December 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nassau County, for Bachelor's Button?

Nassau County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Bachelor's Button grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bachelor's Button grow in Nassau County's climate?

Yes — Bachelor's Button grows well in Nassau County's temperate climate. Nassau County averages a 291-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 14 and first frost around December 1.

🌱

Your Nassau County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nassau 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 Nassau 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.