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When to plant Daffodils in Suwannee County County,

Suwannee County County gardeners should plant Daffodils between mid-spring and late spring in spring. With Suwannee County County's Zone 9a climate (last frost March 4), Daffodils needs 40 days to mature — plant by October 17 for a full harvest. A second sowing from October 29 to November 12 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Daffodils in Suwannee County, FL

Suwannee County, Florida Zone 9a June

What to do in June

A quick June briefing for Suwannee County, Florida gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 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.

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 383 feet, Suwannee County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Daffodils during the growing season. 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
Suwannee County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Suwannee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Daffodils Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (263 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🌸 Bloom: Feb 5 – Feb 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (260 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🌸 Bloom: Feb 18 – Mar 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (264 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🌸 Bloom: Mar 10 – Mar 31

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 Suwannee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.0) is more acidic than Daffodils prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Suwannee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Daffodils 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 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

16
successive plantings in your 267-day season

Sow every 2.3 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 29.

Daffodils 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 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 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Suwannee 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 ~548 GDD — county provides 4,872 GDD Excellent fit

Daffodils Planting Timeline — Suwannee County, FL

Daffodils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom October 15 Oct 15 – Nov 5
Fall Sowing October 29 Oct 29 – Nov 12

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 Bloom
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

267 days in Suwannee County

Growing Tips for Daffodils in Suwannee County

Direct sow Daffodils outdoors after March 04 in Suwannee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Suwannee 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 267.0-day season in Suwannee 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 Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Daffodils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suwannee County, FL?

Suwannee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 26.

When should I plant Daffodils in Suwannee County County, ?

In Suwannee County County, , plant Daffodils after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Suwannee County County, for Daffodils?

Suwannee 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 Suwannee County County's climate?

Yes — Daffodils grows well in Suwannee County County's temperate climate. Suwannee County County averages a 267-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 26.

🌱

Your Suwannee County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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