Blog

When to Plant Lavender in Wakulla 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.

Wakulla County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 254 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Wakulla County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Wakulla County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
254 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
254 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Wakulla County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Nov 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Nov 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Dec 15

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
Lavender needs ~3,081 GDD — county provides 5,397 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Wakulla County, FL

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Nov 20

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 8b

Growing Season

254 days

Growing Tips for Wakulla 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 Wakulla County, FL?

Wakulla County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wakulla County, FL?

Wakulla County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wakulla County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wakulla County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.