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When to plant Coreopsis in Pasco County County,

For Coreopsis in Pasco County County, the safe spring window opens around January 4 and closes around January 25. Last expected frost is January 25, first fall frost December 16, giving a 326-day growing season.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Pasco County, FL

Pasco County, Florida Zone 9b June

Your June planting checklist for Pasco County, Florida

Welcome to June in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost January 25
Avg. first frost December 16
Soil temp (4") 88°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Pick coreopsis

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Pasco County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 25 and the first fall frost is December 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 321 feet, Pasco County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 102°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
Pasco County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 25
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 16

Pasco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 24 Transplant: Jan 5 🌸 Bloom: Mar 2 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 30 Transplant: Jan 11 🌸 Bloom: Mar 8 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 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 Pasco County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.1) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Pasco 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 (1.7%). 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 325-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 27 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Pasco 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 ~1,855 GDD — county provides 8,639 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Pasco County, FL

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 30 Nov 30 – Dec 14
Transplant Outdoors January 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25
Direct Sow January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 25
Bloom March 8 Mar 8 – Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Pasco County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Pasco County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after January 25 in Pasco County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Pasco 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 102°F in Pasco 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 Pasco County, FL?

Pasco County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 25. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pasco County, FL?

Pasco County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 25 and first fall frost is December 16.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Pasco County County, ?

In Pasco County County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around January 25) and before the first frost (around December 16). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pasco County County, for Coreopsis?

Pasco County 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 Pasco County County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Pasco County County's temperate climate. Pasco County County averages a 326-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 25 and first frost around December 16.

🌱

Your Pasco County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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