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When to plant Begonias in Ware County, GA

In Ware County, Begonias is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant February 11–February 25 for an 70–90-day harvest, finishing well before the November 22 first frost.

When to Plant Begonias in Ware County, GA

Ware County, Georgia Zone 9a July

July in the garden — Ware County, Georgia

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

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 90°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Harvest begonias as they ripen

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

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

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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.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°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
Ware County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Begonias Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 12 Transplant: Jan 30 🌸 Bloom: Apr 10 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 24 Transplant: Feb 11 🌸 Bloom: Apr 22 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Mar 3 🌸 Bloom: May 12 – Nov 10

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 Ware County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) overlaps with Begonias's range (5.5–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Begonias

8"
Between Plants
10"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Begonias

4
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

Begonias Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 225 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ware 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 ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Begonias Planting Timeline — Ware County, GA

Begonias Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 24 Dec 24 – Jan 7
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Bloom April 22 Apr 22 – Oct 21

· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors
March
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

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Begonias in Ware County

Direct sow Begonias outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Begonias. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Begonias in Ware County, GA?

In Ware County, GA, plant Begonias after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ware County, GA for Begonias?

Ware 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 Ware County's climate?

Yes — Begonias grows well in Ware County's temperate climate. Ware County averages a 263-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Ware County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

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