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When to plant Coreopsis in Effingham County County,

Effingham County County gardeners should plant Coreopsis between February 27 and March 20 in spring. With Effingham County County's Zone 9a climate (last frost March 13), Coreopsis needs 80 days to mature — plant by August 29 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Effingham County, GA

Effingham County, Georgia Zone 9a June

June in Effingham County, Georgia — your action list

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 13
Avg. first frost November 17
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Harvest coreopsis as they ripen

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: coreopsis

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Coreopsis (Tickseed) is a cheerful, long-blooming native perennial that produces a continuous flush of bright yellow, gold, or bi-colored daisy-like flowers from early summer well into fall. One of the most reliable cut-and-come-again bloomers in the perennial garden, it thrives in hot, dry, sunny conditions and poor soil where many competitors struggle. An invaluable nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and a butterfly host plant for several species.

Effingham County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 344 feet, Effingham County receives approximately 60.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Coreopsis may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Coreopsis will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Coreopsis root diseases.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Effingham County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17
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Effingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 19 🌸 Bloom: Apr 16 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 27 🌸 Bloom: Apr 24 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 25 🌸 Bloom: May 20 – Oct 21

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 Effingham County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.3) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Effingham County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Coreopsis will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Coreopsis.

How to Plant Coreopsis

0.1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Coreopsis

4
successive plantings in your 249-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Coreopsis

Coreopsis 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 Coreopsis Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Coreopsis 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.

Coreopsis needs ~1,592 GDD — county provides 5,664 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Effingham County, GA

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 20
Bloom April 24 Apr 24 – Sep 25

Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

249 days in Effingham County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Effingham County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after March 13 in Effingham County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Effingham County dries quickly — mulch Coreopsis with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Effingham County, provide afternoon shade for Coreopsis and water deeply in the morning.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate easily without stratification. Thrives in poor to average, well-drained soil — rich soil promotes foliage over flowers. Drought tolerant once established; overwatering is the most common mistake. Deadhead spent blooms to maintain continuous flowering through the season. Shear plants by one-third in midsummer for a fresh flush of late-season blooms. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily. Divide every 2–3 years in early spring to rejuvenate crowded clumps.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Coreopsis in Effingham County, GA?

Effingham County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Effingham County, GA?

Effingham County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 17.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Effingham County, ?

In Effingham County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around March 13) and before the first frost (around November 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Effingham County, for Coreopsis?

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

Can Coreopsis grow in Effingham County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Effingham County's temperate climate. Effingham County averages a 249-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 13 and first frost around November 17.

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Your Effingham County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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