When to Plant Black-eyed Susan in Caroline County, VA
What to do in June
Your Caroline County, Virginia garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.
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Get black-eyed susan seeds going inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
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Collect black-eyed susan at their peak
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Coming up in July — start thinking about
- First harvests: black-eyed susan
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan) is one of the most recognizable and adaptable native wildflowers in North America. Its bright golden-yellow daisy petals radiate from a dark brown central cone, providing months of color from midsummer into fall. Technically a short-lived perennial that self-seeds freely — colonies persist indefinitely in the garden — it thrives in poor soils, tolerates drought, and is irresistible to bees, butterflies, and goldfinches.
Caroline County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
At an elevation of 368 feet, Caroline County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Black-eyed Susan during the growing season.
Caroline County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Black-eyed Susan 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 Caroline County
How your county's soil matches Black-eyed Susan's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Black-eyed Susan's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Caroline County is excellent for Black-eyed Susan — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Black-eyed Susan.
How to Plant Black-eyed Susan
Succession Planting Black-eyed Susan
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.
Black-eyed Susan Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan 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 | Black-eyed Susan Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Caroline County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Black-eyed Susan 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.
Black-eyed Susan Planting Timeline — Caroline County, VA
Black-eyed Susan Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 10 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Direct Sow | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 28 |
| Bloom | June 30 | Jun 30 – Nov 10 |
· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–80 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
193 days in Caroline County
Growing Tips for Black-eyed Susan in Caroline County
Direct sow Black-eyed Susan outdoors after April 14 in Caroline County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Black-eyed Susan 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 (needs light to germinate — press seeds onto soil surface, do not cover). Thrives in average to poor soil; rich soil causes floppy stems. Deadhead for extended bloom but leave some seed heads for winter wildlife interest and self-seeding. Although technically short-lived (3–5 years), prolific self-seeding maintains the colony. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily. Divide every 3 years to maintain vigor.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Black-eyed Susan in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Black-eyed Susan in Caroline County, VA?
Caroline County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Black-eyed Susan planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Caroline County, VA?
Caroline County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Caroline County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Caroline County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.