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When to plant Coreopsis in Lawrence County County,

Plant Coreopsis in Lawrence County County after April 14; the prime window is April 14–May 5.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Lawrence County, KY

Lawrence County, Kentucky Zone 6b June

Your June game plan for Lawrence County, Kentucky

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

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Sow coreopsis in trays indoors

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

  2. Start harvesting coreopsis

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

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.

Lawrence County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 2,351 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Lawrence County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 24 – Oct 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Oct 27
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 Lawrence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.8) is within Coreopsis's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Coreopsis prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 195-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lawrence 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 ~1,278 GDD — county provides 3,558 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, KY

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Bloom June 30 Jun 30 – Oct 27

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

195 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Lawrence County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 14 in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, KY?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, KY?

Lawrence County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Lawrence County County, ?

In Lawrence County County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lawrence County County, for Coreopsis?

Lawrence 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 Lawrence County County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Lawrence County County's temperate climate. Lawrence County County averages a 195-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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.