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When to Plant Lavender in Bradley 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.

Bradley County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 614 feet, Bradley County receives approximately 51.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Bradley County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Bradley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Nov 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Nov 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Dec 17

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,646 GDD — county provides 4,142 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Bradley County, AR

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Nov 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

227 days

Growing Tips for Bradley 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 Bradley County, AR?

Bradley County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bradley County, AR?

Bradley County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bradley County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Bradley County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.