When to Plant Coreopsis in Cass County, ND
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.
Cass County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.
At an elevation of 839 feet, Cass County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Coreopsis to ensure they mature before fall.
Cass County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Cass County, ND
Coreopsis Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Bloom | August 10 | Aug 10 – Oct 26 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| 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 4a
📆 Growing Season
144 days in Cass County
Growing Tips for Cass 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 →
Coreopsis in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Coreopsis in Cass County, ND?
Cass County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cass County, ND?
Cass County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 2.
Your Cass County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Cass County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.