Blog

When to Plant Coreopsis in Pushmataha County, OK

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma Zone 8a July

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma gardeners: here's your July plan

Welcome to July in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 2
Avg. first frost November 1
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Collect coreopsis at their peak

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: coreopsis

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 465 feet, Pushmataha County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Pushmataha County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pushmataha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 22 🌸 Bloom: May 24 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🌸 Bloom: Jun 20 – Nov 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 Pushmataha County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Pushmataha County is excellent for Coreopsis — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Coreopsis.

How to Plant Coreopsis

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

Succession Planting Coreopsis

4
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 146 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Pushmataha 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 ~1,225 GDD — county provides 3,727 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Pushmataha County, OK

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Bloom June 4 Jun 4 – Oct 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

213 days in Pushmataha County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Pushmataha County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after April 02 in Pushmataha County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Pushmataha County receives only 22" 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 Pushmataha County, OK?

Pushmataha County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pushmataha County, OK?

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Pushmataha County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Pushmataha 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.

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 Pushmataha County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.