When to Plant Daffodils in Erie County, OH
Daffodils (Narcissus spp.) are among the most dependable and longest-lived of all spring bulbs. Their cheerful yellow and white blooms emerge in early spring, often while frost is still possible, bringing color weeks before most other flowers. Unlike tulips, established clumps naturalize readily — spreading and returning reliably year after year without replanting. Deer and rodents avoid them due to toxic alkaloids in the bulb and sap, making them a low-maintenance choice for naturalized areas, woodland edges, and mixed borders.
Erie County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
At an elevation of 723 feet, Erie County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Daffodils during the growing season.
Erie County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Daffodils Planting Timeline — Erie County, OH
Daffodils Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom | August 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Fall Sowing | September 10 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
Plant 7" deep · 7" apart · Rows 8" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
📅 Days to Maturity
20–40 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
178 days in Erie County
Growing Tips for Erie County
Plant bulbs pointed-end up in fall, 6–8 inches deep and 6–8 inches apart in well-drained soil. Allow 12–16 weeks of cold dormancy for proper vernalization. Do not cut back foliage until it turns yellow (6–8 weeks after bloom) — the dying leaves photosynthesize energy into the bulb for next year. Lift and divide overcrowded clumps every 4–5 years in summer after foliage dies back. In zones 7b–9b, select heat-tolerant cultivars (Jonquilla, Tazetta, and Cyclamineus divisions) that perform better with less chill than large-cupped types. Zones 10+: insufficient winter cold; pre-chilling is required but results inconsistent — not recommended for outdoor culture.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Daffodils in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Daffodils in Erie County, OH?
Erie County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Daffodils planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Erie County, OH?
Erie County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 22.
Your Erie County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Erie County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.