Blog

When to Plant Coreopsis in Sheridan County, NE

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.

Sheridan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 1,111 feet, Sheridan County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°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
Sheridan County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Sheridan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Sheridan County, NE

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 – Jun 11
Bloom August 6 Aug 6 – Nov 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November Bloom
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Sheridan County

Growing Tips for Sheridan County

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 Sheridan County, NE?

Sheridan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheridan County, NE?

Sheridan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.

🌱

Your Sheridan County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sheridan County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sheridan County, NE. 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.