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When to plant Vinca (Annual) in Carroll County County,

Carroll County County's 215-day season only supports one Vinca (Annual) planting per year. Sow between March 24 and April 7 for the best chance at full maturity before November 1.

When to Plant Vinca (Annual) in Carroll County, GA

Carroll County, Georgia Zone 8a June

June to-do list for Carroll County, Georgia

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

Avg. last frost March 31
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Time to start vinca (annual) inside

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

  2. Pick vinca (annual)

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: vinca (annual)

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Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus), also called Madagascar periwinkle, is one of the most heat- and drought-tolerant bedding plants available. Glossy foliage stays attractive all season while cheerful pinwheel blooms continue without deadheading. A top performer in hot, humid Southern summers where impatiens and begonias struggle. Self-cleaning; requires little maintenance once established.

Carroll County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 264 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 57 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Vinca (Annual) during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Vinca (Annual), but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Vinca (Annual) root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant
Carroll County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Vinca (Annual) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Mar 16 🌸 Bloom: May 25 – Oct 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 20 Transplant: Mar 24 🌸 Bloom: Jun 2 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 19 – Nov 6

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 Carroll County

How your county's soil matches Vinca (Annual)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.4) overlaps with Vinca (Annual)'s range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Carroll County is excellent for Vinca (Annual) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Vinca (Annual).

How to Plant Vinca (Annual)

0.1"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Vinca (Annual)

3
successive plantings in your 215-day season

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

Vinca (Annual) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Vinca (Annual)

Vinca (Annual) 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 Vinca (Annual) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Vinca (Annual) 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.

Vinca (Annual) needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,246 GDD Excellent fit

Vinca (Annual) Planting Timeline — Carroll County, GA

Vinca (Annual) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3
Transplant Outdoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Bloom June 2 Jun 2 – Oct 20

Plant 0.1" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Carroll County

Growing Tips for Vinca (Annual) in Carroll County

Direct sow Vinca (Annual) outdoors after March 31 in Carroll County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Carroll County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Vinca (Annual). Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination requires warm soil (75–80°F) and darkness. Do not cover seeds deeply; they need just a light dusting. Direct sowing is rarely practiced due to slow seedling establishment. Transplant after soil warms and frost danger has passed. Excellent drought tolerance once established; avoid overwatering. Performs best in well-drained beds or containers in full sun.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Vinca (Annual) in Carroll County, GA?

Carroll County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Vinca (Annual) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, GA?

Carroll County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 1.

When should I plant Vinca (Annual) in Carroll County, ?

In Carroll County, , plant Vinca (Annual) after the last frost (around March 31) and before the first frost (around November 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Carroll County, for Vinca (Annual)?

Carroll County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Vinca (Annual) grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Vinca (Annual) grow in Carroll County's climate?

Yes — Vinca (Annual) grows well in Carroll County's temperate climate. Carroll County averages a 215-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 31 and first frost around November 1.

🌱

Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Carroll County (Zone 8a). 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 Carroll 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.