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When to plant Coreopsis in Lyon County County,

Lyon County County gardeners should plant Coreopsis between April 12 and May 3 in spring. With Lyon County County's Zone 6b climate (last frost April 12), Coreopsis needs 80 days to mature — plant by August 6 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Lyon County, KS

Lyon County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Lyon County, Kansas

A quick June briefing for Lyon County, Kansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Get coreopsis seeds going inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. Bring in the coreopsis

    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: 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.

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 629 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Lyon County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🌸 Bloom: Jun 21 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🌸 Bloom: Jun 28 – Oct 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jul 11 – Nov 7

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 Lyon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.3) is within Coreopsis's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Lyon County is excellent for Coreopsis — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Coreopsis will thrive.

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

3
successive plantings in your 196-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lyon 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 ~1,120 GDD — county provides 3,136 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Lyon County, KS

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 – May 3
Bloom June 28 Jun 28 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Lyon County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Lyon County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 12 in Lyon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Lyon County receives only 24" of rain annually. Coreopsis needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lyon County, KS?

Lyon County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 25.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Lyon County County, ?

In Lyon County County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around April 12) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lyon County County, for Coreopsis?

Lyon County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Coreopsis grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Coreopsis grow in Lyon County County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Lyon County County's temperate climate. Lyon County County averages a 196-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 12 and first frost around October 25.

🌱

Your Lyon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lyon County (Zone 6b). 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 Lyon County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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