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When to plant Gladiolus in Bacon County County,

Spring Gladiolus in Bacon County County goes in March 11–April 1, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Gladiolus in Bacon County, GA

Bacon County, Georgia Zone 9a June

June in the garden — Bacon County, Georgia

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the gladiolus

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

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: gladiolus

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Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) produce tall, stately spikes of trumpet-shaped blooms in a rich array of colors, making them one of the most popular cut flowers in the world. Each spike carries 12–20 florets that open in succession from bottom to top over 7–10 days. By planting corms every two weeks from last frost through early summer, gardeners create a continuous succession of fresh blooms from midsummer through fall. Corms multiply each season — a single planting becomes a growing collection over the years. Ideal for back-of- border planting, cutting gardens, and mixed summer containers.

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

Bulb Blooms in Summer 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

Gladiolus Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🌸 Bloom: May 10 – Nov 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🌸 Bloom: May 20 – Nov 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🌸 Bloom: Jun 6 – Dec 5

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 Gladiolus's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.7) overlaps with Gladiolus's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Gladiolus

5"
Planting Depth
5"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Gladiolus

4
successive plantings in your 253-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

Gladiolus 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 Gladiolus

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

Month Gladiolus 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.

Gladiolus 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.

Gladiolus needs ~1,870 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Gladiolus Planting Timeline — Bacon County, GA

Gladiolus Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Bloom May 20 May 20 – Nov 18

Plant 5" deep · 5" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Bacon County

Growing Tips for Gladiolus in Bacon County

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

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

General growing tips

Plant corms 4–6 inches deep, pointed end up, as soon as soil reaches 60°F after last frost. Space 4–6 inches apart; rows 12 inches apart. Stake or grow through a support grid — tall varieties reach 4–5 feet and tip in wind. Begin succession plantings every 2 weeks through early July for continuous bloom. Water deeply once a week; mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cut spikes for vases when the lowest floret just begins to open. After first killing frost (in cold zones), dig corms, let dry for 3–4 weeks in a ventilated spot, remove cormels, and store in mesh bags at 35–50°F. In zones 7b–8a, corms sometimes survive mild winters in ground with heavy mulch; in zones 8b+, in-ground overwintering is reliable.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Gladiolus in Bacon County, GA?

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

In Bacon County, , plant Gladiolus 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, for Gladiolus?

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

Can Gladiolus grow in Bacon County's climate?

Yes — Gladiolus 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: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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