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When to plant Coreopsis in Bath County County,

Coreopsis planted in Bath County County between April 16 and May 7 matures in 80 days — well before the October 24 first frost.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Bath County, KY

Bath County, Kentucky Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Bath County, Kentucky

Your Bath County, Kentucky garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Time to start coreopsis inside

    You're about 19 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Bath County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 2,458 feet, Bath County receives approximately 43.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Bath County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Bath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 17 🌸 Bloom: Jun 26 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: Jul 2 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 9 🌸 Bloom: Jul 18 – Nov 14

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 Bath County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–7.0) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Coreopsis.

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bath 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 ~1,172 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Bath County, KY

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 – May 7
Bloom July 2 Jul 2 – Oct 29

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
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Bath County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Bath County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 16 in Bath 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.

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 Bath County, KY?

Bath County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bath County, KY?

Bath County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Bath County County, ?

In Bath County County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bath County County, for Coreopsis?

Bath 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 Bath County County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Bath County County's temperate climate. Bath County County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Bath County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bath 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 Bath County, KY. 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.