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When to Plant Coreopsis in Lincoln County, NV

Lincoln County, Nevada Zone 8a June

Your June planting checklist for Lincoln County, Nevada

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 19
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start coreopsis indoors

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

  2. Pick coreopsis

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Get ahead of 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.

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 5,852 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 11.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Coreopsis may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Coreopsis will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Coreopsis successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Lincoln County, NV (Zone 8a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 16 – Nov 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 19 🌸 Bloom: Jun 21 – Nov 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Jul 20 – Dec 14

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 Lincoln County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.8) is more alkaline than Coreopsis prefers (5.5–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lincoln County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Coreopsis will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Coreopsis.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Coreopsis.

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

3
successive plantings in your 180-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 734 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 2.2" 0.3" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lincoln 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 ~1,488 GDD — county provides 3,825 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Lincoln County, NV

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 – May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 – May 3
Bloom June 21 Jun 21 – Nov 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Lincoln County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Lincoln County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 19 in Lincoln County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Lincoln County dries quickly — mulch Coreopsis with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Coreopsis in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Lincoln County receives only 12" of rain annually. Coreopsis needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 16.

🌱

Your Lincoln County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lincoln County (Zone 8a). 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 Lincoln County, NV. 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.