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When to Plant Lavender in Benton County, AR

Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb with silvery foliage and purple flower spikes. It is prized for its essential oils, culinary uses, and ornamental beauty.

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 905 feet, Benton County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Benton County, AR (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Nov 12

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,538 GDD — county provides 3,482 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Benton County, AR

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Oct 29

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 Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

90โ€“200 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Benton County

Plant in well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid heavy mulching around the crown. Prune after flowering but do not cut into old wood. Lavender resents wet winter conditions.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lavender in Benton County, AR?

Benton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Benton County, AR?

Benton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benton County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Benton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.