Blog

When to Plant Lavender in Bonneville County, ID

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.

Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 116 days.

At an elevation of 7,993 feet, Bonneville County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Bonneville County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
116 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
116 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Bonneville County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 27 – Dec 13

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 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lavender needs ~1,994 GDD — county provides 1,595 GDD May not mature

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Bonneville County, ID

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Nov 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

116 days

Growing Tips for Bonneville 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 Bonneville County, ID?

Bonneville County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bonneville County, ID?

Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bonneville County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Bonneville County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.