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When to plant Coreopsis in Ozark County, MO

Spring Coreopsis in Ozark County goes in April 9–April 30, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Coreopsis in Ozark County, MO

Ozark County, Missouri Zone 7a June

Your June planting checklist for Ozark County, Missouri

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

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: coreopsis

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

  2. Bring in the coreopsis

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • 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.

Ozark County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,321 feet, Ozark County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Ozark County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Ozark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 10 🌸 Bloom: Jun 12 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jun 18 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🌸 Bloom: Jul 1 – Nov 11

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 Ozark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 200-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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ozark 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 ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Ozark County, MO

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Bloom June 18 Jun 18 – 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
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

200 days in Ozark County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Ozark County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 09 in Ozark 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 Ozark County, MO?

Ozark County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ozark County, MO?

Ozark County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Coreopsis in Ozark County, MO?

In Ozark County, MO, plant Coreopsis after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ozark County, MO for Coreopsis?

Ozark County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Coreopsis grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Coreopsis grow in Ozark County's climate?

Yes — Coreopsis grows well in Ozark County's temperate climate. Ozark County averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Ozark County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ozark County (Zone 7a). 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 Ozark 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.