Blog

When to plant Begonias in Bacon County, GA

In Bacon County, Begonias is a spring-only crop. Plant February 18–March 4 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Begonias in Bacon County, GA

Bacon County, Georgia Zone 9a June

What to do in June

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Bacon County, Georgia this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Start harvesting begonias

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

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: begonias

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.

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 Begonias may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Begonias, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Begonias root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant
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

Begonias Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Feb 8 🌸 Bloom: Apr 19 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 31 Transplant: Feb 18 🌸 Bloom: Apr 29 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 7 🌸 Bloom: May 16 – Nov 14

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 Begonias's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Begonias's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Begonias

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Begonias

4
successive plantings in your 253-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 21 to harvest before frost.

Begonias 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 Begonias

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

Month Begonias 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.

Begonias 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.

Begonias needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Begonias Planting Timeline — Bacon County, GA

Begonias Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14
Transplant Outdoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Bloom April 29 Apr 29 – Oct 28

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Bacon County

Growing Tips for Begonias in Bacon County

Direct sow Begonias 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 Begonias. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Begonias in Bacon County, GA?

Bacon County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Begonias 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 Begonias in Bacon County, GA?

In Bacon County, GA, plant Begonias 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 Begonias?

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

Can Begonias grow in Bacon County's climate?

Yes — Begonias 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.