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When to plant Coreopsis in Daviess County, MO

For Daviess County, gardeners: plant Coreopsis April 22 through May 13 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Daviess County, MO

Daviess County, Missouri Zone 6a June

This month in Daviess County, Missouri

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 April 15
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Sow coreopsis in trays indoors

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

July prep starts now
  • 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.

Daviess County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 917 feet, Daviess County receives approximately 37.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Daviess County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Daviess County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🌸 Bloom: Jun 28 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🌸 Bloom: Jul 16 – Nov 5

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 Daviess County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.7) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

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 186-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 30 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Daviess 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 ~962 GDD — county provides 2,557 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Daviess County, MO

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 – May 13
Bloom July 1 Jul 1 – Oct 21

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 6a

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Daviess County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Daviess County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 15 in Daviess 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 Daviess County, MO?

Daviess County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Daviess County, MO?

Daviess County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Daviess County, MO?

In Daviess County, MO, plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Daviess County, MO for Coreopsis?

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

Can Coreopsis grow in Daviess County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Daviess County's temperate climate. Daviess County averages a 186-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 18.

🌱

Your Daviess County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Daviess County (Zone 6a). 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 Daviess County, MO. 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.