When to plant Daylily in Franklin County, IL
Plant Daylily in Franklin County during the brief April 17–May 1 window. With 193 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 20.
When to Plant Daylily in Franklin County, IL
Top priorities for Franklin County, Illinois gardeners in June
June is a pivotal month for Franklin County, Illinois gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Begin indoor sowing: daylily
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
-
Basket week: daylily
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
Get ahead of July
- First harvests: daylily
Hemerocallis (Daylily) is one of the most adaptable and trouble-free perennials in cultivation. Though each flower lasts only a single day, established clumps produce dozens to hundreds of buds per stem, delivering weeks of continuous color through summer. Modern hybrids extend the range from pale cream and melon through deep burgundy and purple. Nearly indestructible once established — tolerating poor soil, drought, competition, and neglect — daylilies form dense spreading clumps that effectively suppress weeds. An excellent low-maintenance choice for slopes, borders, and naturalized areas.
Franklin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
At an elevation of 747 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 37.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Daylily during the growing season.
Franklin County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-7.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Daylily Planting Risk Windows
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 Franklin County
How your county's soil matches Daylily's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–7.1) overlaps with Daylily's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Franklin County is excellent for Daylily — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Daylily will thrive.
How to Plant Daylily
Succession Planting Daylily
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.
Daylily Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Daylily
Daylily 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 | Daylily Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Franklin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Daylily 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.
Daylily Planting Timeline — Franklin County, IL
Daylily Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Bloom | June 26 | Jun 26 – Oct 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 24" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| 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
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
193 days in Franklin County
Growing Tips for Daylily in Franklin County
Direct sow Daylily outdoors after April 10 in Franklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Daylilies are most commonly propagated by division rather than seed; cultivar seeds do not come true. Transplant bare-root or potted divisions in early spring or fall, setting crowns no more than 1 inch below soil level. If starting from seed (species types only), start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Established plants are extremely drought-tolerant; moderate water during bloom period improves flower quality. Divide crowded clumps every 3–5 years in early spring or fall to maintain vigor. In warm zones (8+), some cultivars are evergreen; in cold zones, foliage dies back each fall. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily — first-year transplants may produce limited flowers.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Daylily in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Daylily in Franklin County, IL?
Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Daylily planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Franklin County, IL?
Franklin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 20.
When should I plant Daylily in Franklin County, IL?
In Franklin County, IL, plant Daylily after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Franklin County, IL for Daylily?
Franklin County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Daylily grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.
Can Daylily grow in Franklin County's climate?
Yes — Daylily grows well in Franklin County's temperate climate. Franklin County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 20.
Your Franklin County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Franklin County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.