When to Plant Snapdragon in Surry County, VA
Your August planting checklist for Surry County, Virginia
Your garden in Surry County, Virginia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.
-
Bring in the snapdragon
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
-
Get snapdragon in for a late-season harvest
Your first frost is about 12 weeks away — plenty of time for these to mature.
Before September arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: snapdragon
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are classic cool-season annuals whose upright spikes of dragon-lipped flowers are among spring's most dramatic displays. Tolerating light frosts, they bloom from early spring until summer heat shuts them down — then often revive in fall. In zones 9-11 they are grown as fall-planted winter annuals and may re-seed to naturalize.
Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.
At an elevation of 946 feet, Surry County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Snapdragon during the growing season.
Surry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Snapdragon 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 Surry County
How your county's soil matches Snapdragon's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) is more acidic than Snapdragon prefers (6.2–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Surry County is excellent for Snapdragon — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Snapdragon.
How to Plant Snapdragon
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Snapdragon
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.
Snapdragon Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Snapdragon
Snapdragon needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Snapdragon Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.5" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.6" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Surry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Snapdragon 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.
Snapdragon Planting Timeline — Surry County, VA
Snapdragon Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 23 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Direct Sow | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 20 |
| Bloom | May 29 | May 29 – Sep 18 |
| Fall Sowing | August 28 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
· 9" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Fall Sowing Bloom |
| September | Fall Sowing Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6.2–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
217 days in Surry County
Growing Tips for Snapdragon in Surry County
Direct sow Snapdragon outdoors after April 03 in Surry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost; seeds need light to germinate — press into moist medium and do not cover. Transplant after hardening off, even if light frosts remain. Pinch seedlings once to encourage branching. Deadhead to prolong blooming. In zones 8-11, sow in fall for a winter-to-spring show. Tall varieties (24-36") make excellent cut flowers.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Snapdragon in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Snapdragon in Surry County, VA?
Surry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Snapdragon planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Surry County, VA?
Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.
Your Surry County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Surry 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.