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When to plant Daffodils in Wilkinson County, MS

Spring Daffodils in Wilkinson County goes in mid-spring–late spring, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from October 26 to November 9 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Daffodils in Wilkinson County, MS

Wilkinson County, Mississippi Zone 9a July

This month in Wilkinson County, Mississippi

Here's what deserves your attention in Wilkinson County, Mississippi this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 3
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 92°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs

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Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are among the most dependable and longest-lived of all spring bulbs. Their cheerful yellow and white blooms emerge in early spring, often while frost is still possible, bringing color weeks before most other flowers. Unlike tulips, established clumps naturalize readily — spreading and returning reliably year after year without replanting. Deer and rodents avoid them due to toxic alkaloids in the bulb and sap, making them a low-maintenance choice for naturalized areas, woodland edges, and mixed borders.

Wilkinson County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 265 days.

At an elevation of 379 feet, Wilkinson County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Daffodils during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Daffodils, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Daffodils root diseases.

Bulb Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Wilkinson County, MS (Zone 9a) Long season
265 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
265 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23

Wilkinson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Daffodils Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (265 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 17 🌸 Bloom: Feb 3 – Feb 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (258 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🌸 Bloom: Feb 17 – Mar 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (259 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🌸 Bloom: Mar 8 – Mar 29

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 Wilkinson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.3) is more acidic than Daffodils prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Wilkinson County is excellent for Daffodils — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Daffodils.

How to Plant Daffodils

7"
Planting Depth
7"
Between Plants
8"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 4 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Daffodils

16
successive plantings in your 265-day season

Sow every 2.3 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 26.

Daffodils 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 Daffodils

Daffodils 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 Daffodils Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wilkinson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Daffodils 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.

Daffodils needs ~615 GDD — county provides 5,432 GDD Excellent fit

Daffodils Planting Timeline — Wilkinson County, MS

Daffodils Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Bloom October 12 Oct 12 – Nov 2
Fall Sowing October 26 Oct 26 – Nov 9

Plant 7" deep · 7" apart · Rows 8" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing Bloom
November Fall Sowing Bloom
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

20–40 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

265 days in Wilkinson County

Growing Tips for Daffodils in Wilkinson County

Direct sow Daffodils outdoors after March 03 in Wilkinson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Wilkinson County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Daffodils. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 265.0-day season in Wilkinson County allows multiple plantings of Daffodils. Sow every 10.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Daffodils in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Plant bulbs pointed-end up in fall, 6–8 inches deep and 6–8 inches apart in well-drained soil. Allow 12–16 weeks of cold dormancy for proper vernalization. Do not cut back foliage until it turns yellow (6–8 weeks after bloom) — the dying leaves photosynthesize energy into the bulb for next year. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps every 4–5 years in summer after foliage dies back. In zones 7b–9b, select heat-tolerant cultivars (Jonquilla, Tazetta, and Cyclamineus divisions) that perform better with less chill than large-cupped types. Zones 10+: insufficient winter cold; pre-chilling is required but results inconsistent — not recommended for outdoor culture.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Daffodils in Wilkinson County, MS?

Wilkinson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Daffodils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilkinson County, MS?

Wilkinson County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 23.

When should I plant Daffodils in Wilkinson County, MS?

In Wilkinson County, MS, plant Daffodils after the last frost (around March 3) and before the first frost (around November 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wilkinson County, MS for Daffodils?

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

Can Daffodils grow in Wilkinson County's climate?

Yes — Daffodils grows well in Wilkinson County's temperate climate. Wilkinson County averages a 265-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 3 and first frost around November 23.

🌱

Your Wilkinson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wilkinson County (Zone 9a). 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 Wilkinson County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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