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When to plant Pansy in St. Johns County County,

St. Johns County County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Plant Pansy between January 5 (after last frost on February 9) and January 19. A second sowing from September 9 to September 23 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Pansy in St. Johns County, FL

St. Johns County, Florida Zone 9b June

June to-do list for St. Johns County, Florida

June is a pivotal month for St. Johns County, Florida gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost February 9
Avg. first frost December 2
Soil temp (4") 86°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs

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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.

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 57 feet, St. Johns County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99°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
St. Johns County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2
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St. Johns County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Pansy Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (216 days to spare)
Start indoors: Nov 16 Transplant: Dec 21 🌸 Bloom: Feb 8 – Apr 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (205 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 1 Transplant: Jan 5 🌸 Bloom: Feb 23 – May 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 31 Transplant: Feb 4 🌸 Bloom: Mar 25 – Jun 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 St. Johns County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.1) overlaps with Pansy's range (5.4–6.2), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 296-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 09.

Pansy Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 880 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in St. Johns 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 ~1,940 GDD — county provides 7,202 GDD Excellent fit

Pansy Planting Timeline — St. Johns County, FL

Pansy Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 1 Dec 1 – Dec 15
Transplant Outdoors January 5 Jan 5 – Jan 19
Bloom February 23 Feb 23 – May 11
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 – Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors
February Bloom
March Bloom
April Bloom
May Bloom
June
July
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December Start Indoors
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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 9b

📆 Growing Season

296 days in St. Johns County

Growing Tips for Pansy in St. Johns County

Direct sow Pansy outdoors after February 09 in St. Johns County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in St. Johns 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 99°F in St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL?

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

What planting zone is St. Johns County, FL?

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 2.

When should I plant Pansy in St. Johns County County, ?

In St. Johns County County, , plant Pansy after the last frost (around February 9) and before the first frost (around December 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is St. Johns County County, for Pansy?

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

Can Pansy grow in St. Johns County County's climate?

Yes — Pansy grows well in St. Johns County County's temperate climate. St. Johns County County averages a 297-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 9 and first frost around December 2.

🌱

Your St. Johns County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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