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When to Plant Lavender in Levy County, FL

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.

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 305 feet, Levy County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 100ยฐF, so Lavender may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lavender will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Levy County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Levy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Nov 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Dec 2

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lavender needs ~3,625 GDD — county provides 6,775 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Levy County, FL

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Nov 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

271 days

Growing Tips for Levy 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 Levy County, FL?

Levy County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Levy County, FL?

Levy County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Levy County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Levy County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.