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When to Plant Coreopsis in Live Oak County, TX

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.

Live Oak County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 3,092 feet, Live Oak County receives approximately 63.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 104°F, so Coreopsis may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Coreopsis root diseases.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Live Oak County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Live Oak County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Live Oak County, TX

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 19 Dec 19 – Jan 2
Transplant Outdoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 13
Bloom March 27 Mar 27 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 9b

📆 Growing Season

297 days in Live Oak County

Growing Tips for Live Oak 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Coreopsis in Live Oak County, TX?

Live Oak County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Live Oak County, TX?

Live Oak County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 7.

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Your Live Oak County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Live Oak County (Zone 9b). 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 Live Oak County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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