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When to Plant Bee Balm in Tillman County, OK

Bee balm is a native perennial herb with shaggy, scarlet flower heads that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its leaves make an aromatic tea reminiscent of Earl Grey.

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. 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 807 feet, Tillman County receives approximately 25.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Bee Balm during the growing season.

Tillman County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Tillman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 993 gal / 100 sq ft
Bee Balm needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD Excellent fit

Bee Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Tillman County, OK

Bee Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 25

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Tillman County

Start from seed, divisions, or transplants. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers for reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bee Balm in Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Bee Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tillman County, OK?

Tillman County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tillman County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Tillman County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.