When to Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Mapleton, UT
This month in Utah County, Utah
Your garden in Utah County, Utah is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.
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Start harvesting gaillardia (blanket flower)
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
September will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: gaillardia (blanket flower)
Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata), the native blanket flower of the American West, is one of the most floriferous and longest-blooming perennials available — producing cheerful, daisy-like flowers in fiery red, orange, and yellow combinations from early summer through hard frost in most climates. Named for the way its spreading colonies mimic the patterned blankets of Indigenous American weavers, gaillardia thrives in the exact conditions that challenge other perennials: poor, dry, gravelly soil in full sun. An outstanding pollinator plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and finches that feed on its seed heads. Somewhat short-lived (3–5 years) but self-seeds freely to sustain garden colonies.
Mapleton, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.
At an elevation of 5,535 feet, Utah County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) during the growing season.
Mapleton Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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 Mapleton
How your county's soil matches Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)'s growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.3) is more alkaline than Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Utah County is excellent for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Gaillardia (Blanket Flower).
How to Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Succession Planting Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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 | Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Utah County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) 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.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Planting Timeline — Mapleton, UT
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Bloom | July 21 | Jul 21 – Dec 8 |
Plant 0.1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| December | Bloom |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
159 days in Utah County
Growing Tips for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Mapleton
Direct sow Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) outdoors after May 05 in Utah County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Utah County receives only 22" of rain annually. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost or direct-sow after last frost. Seeds need light to germinate — press onto soil surface without covering, or cover very lightly (1/8 inch). Transplant after last frost when soil has warmed. Lean, well-drained soil is essential — rich or wet soil causes sprawl and root rot. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong the season, but leave some heads for self-seeding to renew the planting. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to maintain vigor. Drought-tolerant once established; overwatering is more damaging than underwatering. Year 2+ plants deliver the fullest multi-season bloom.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Other Locations
Your Utah County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Utah County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.