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When to Plant Lavender in New London County, CT

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.

New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 766 feet, New London County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

New London County, CT (Zone 6b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

New London County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Nov 3
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Nov 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Dec 4

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,211 GDD — county provides 2,714 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” New London County, CT

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Nov 12

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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for New London 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 New London County, CT?

New London County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is New London County, CT?

New London County, Connecticut is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help New London 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 New London County, CT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.