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When to plant Ageratum in Bacon County, GA

Bacon County gardeners should plant Ageratum between February 25 and March 18 in spring. With Bacon County's Zone 9a climate (last frost March 11), Ageratum needs 60–75 days to mature — plant by September 5 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Ageratum in Bacon County, GA

Bacon County, Georgia Zone 9a July

Top priorities for Bacon County, Georgia gardeners in July

Your garden in Bacon County, Georgia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 90°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for ageratum

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • First harvests: ageratum

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Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), the floss flower, produces clusters of fluffy, powder-puff blooms in the rare sky-blue and lavender tones difficult to find among warm-season annuals. Compact mounding habit makes it ideal as a front-of-border edging plant. Blooms from early summer through fall with minimal deadheading; heat and humidity tolerant once established.

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 165 feet, Bacon County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Ageratum may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Ageratum, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Ageratum root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting
Bacon County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Bacon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Ageratum Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Feb 15 🌸 Bloom: Apr 12 – Sep 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Feb 25 🌸 Bloom: Apr 22 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 14 🌸 Bloom: May 9 – Oct 24

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 Bacon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Ageratum's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Bacon County is excellent for Ageratum — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Ageratum.

How to Plant Ageratum

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Ageratum

5
successive plantings in your 253-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 05 to harvest before frost.

Ageratum Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 69 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Ageratum

Ageratum needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Ageratum Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Ageratum 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.

Ageratum needs ~1,485 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Ageratum Planting Timeline — Bacon County, GA

Ageratum Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Direct Sow February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 18
Bloom April 22 Apr 22 – Oct 7

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–75 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Bacon County

Growing Tips for Ageratum in Bacon County

Direct sow Ageratum outdoors after March 11 in Bacon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bacon County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Ageratum. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Bacon County, provide afternoon shade for Ageratum and water deeply in the morning.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost — do not cover seed; it needs light to germinate. Can be direct-sown after last frost once soil warms to 60°F. Transplant or thin to proper spacing after frost danger passes. Deadheading isn't strictly required but tidying spent clusters improves appearance. Provide consistent moisture; drought causes premature setting. Avoid deep shade — blooms best in full sun to light afternoon shade.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ageratum in Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Ageratum planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 19.

When should I plant Ageratum in Bacon County, GA?

In Bacon County, GA, plant Ageratum after the last frost (around March 11) and before the first frost (around November 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bacon County, GA for Ageratum?

Bacon County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Ageratum grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Ageratum grow in Bacon County's climate?

Yes — Ageratum grows well in Bacon County's temperate climate. Bacon County averages a 253-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 11 and first frost around November 19.

🌱

Your Bacon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bacon 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 Bacon County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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