When to Plant Begonias in Hamilton County, OH
July to-do list for Hamilton County, Ohio
July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hamilton County, Ohio.
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It's harvest week for begonias
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Looking ahead to August
- First harvests: begonias
Wax begonias (Begonia × semperflorens) are the workhorse shade bedding plant of American horticulture, offering continuous bloom from transplant to hard frost. Bronze or green-leaved varieties perform well from deep shade to full sun (in northern zones) and tolerate summer humidity better than most cool- season flowers. A staple of mass plantings, containers, and window boxes.
Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.
At an elevation of 735 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Begonias during the growing season.
Hamilton County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.1-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Begonias Planting Risk Windows
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 Hamilton County
How your county's soil matches Begonias's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.1–7.3) is more alkaline than Begonias prefers (5.5–6.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hamilton County is excellent for Begonias — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Begonias will thrive.
How to Plant Begonias
Succession Planting Begonias
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.
Begonias Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Begonias
Begonias needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Begonias Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hamilton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Begonias 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.
Begonias Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, OH
Begonias Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Bloom | July 2 | Jul 2 – Oct 8 |
· 8" apart · Rows 10" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–6.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
188 days in Hamilton County
Growing Tips for Begonias in Hamilton County
Direct sow Begonias outdoors after April 16 in Hamilton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — seed is dust-fine; surface-sow on moist mix under lights, do not cover. Bottom heat (70–75°F) speeds germination. Transplant after frost; begonias are not direct-sown in practice. Pinch seedlings once for branching. Keep soil evenly moist; avoid waterlogged conditions. Bronze-leaf types tolerate more sun; green- leaf types prefer shade to part-sun.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Begonias in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Begonias in Hamilton County, OH?
Hamilton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Begonias planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hamilton County, OH?
Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.
Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Hamilton 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.