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When to Plant Coreopsis in Wise County, TX

Wise County, Texas Zone 8a June

Your June planting checklist for Wise County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Wise County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 11
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Pick coreopsis

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: coreopsis

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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.

Wise County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 3,288 feet, Wise County receives approximately 53.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Coreopsis during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Coreopsis, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. 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
Wise County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11
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Wise County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Coreopsis Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 14 🌸 Bloom: May 16 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 25 🌸 Bloom: May 27 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 17 – Nov 11

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 Wise County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) overlaps with Coreopsis's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Wise County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Drainage

Coreopsis prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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 231-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

Coreopsis Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wise 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 ~1,330 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Coreopsis Planting Timeline — Wise County, TX

Coreopsis Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom May 27 May 27 – Oct 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Wise County

Growing Tips for Coreopsis in Wise County

Direct sow Coreopsis outdoors after March 25 in Wise County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Wise County's clay soil (46% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Coreopsis. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

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 Wise County, TX?

Wise County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Coreopsis planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wise County, TX?

Wise County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

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Your Wise County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wise 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.

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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 Wise County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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