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When to plant Coreopsis in Todd County County,

Todd County County gardeners should plant Coreopsis between May 11 and June 1 in spring. With Todd County County's Zone 4a climate (last frost May 4), Coreopsis needs 80 days to mature — plant by July 16 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Todd County, MN

Todd County, Minnesota Zone 4a June

June in the garden — Todd County, Minnesota

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 4
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.5 hrs
July will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Todd County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 987 feet, Todd County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Coreopsis to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Todd County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Todd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: May 12 🌸 Bloom: Jul 28 – Oct 13
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Aug 3 – Oct 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Jun 3 🌸 Bloom: Aug 19 – Nov 4

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 Todd County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–6.8) is within Coreopsis's preferred range (5.5–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Coreopsis will thrive.

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

2
successive plantings in your 153-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Todd 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 ~752 GDD — county provides 1,644 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Todd County, MN

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 – Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 – Jun 1
Bloom August 3 Aug 3 – Oct 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
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 4a

📆 Growing Season

153 days in Todd County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Todd County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after May 04 in Todd 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 Todd County, MN?

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

What planting zone is Todd County, MN?

Todd County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 4.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Todd County County, ?

In Todd County County, , plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around May 4) and before the first frost (around October 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Todd County County, for Coreopsis?

Todd County County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Coreopsis grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Coreopsis grow in Todd County County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Todd County County's temperate climate. Todd County County averages a 153-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 4 and first frost around October 4.

🌱

Your Todd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Todd County (Zone 4a). 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 Todd County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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