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When to Plant Lavender in Canyon 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.

Canyon County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 4,953 feet, Canyon County receives approximately 13.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lavender successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Canyon County, ID (Zone 6b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Canyon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Nov 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Nov 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Sep 12 – Dec 26

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 252 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lavender needs ~2,211 GDD — county provides 2,424 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Canyon County, ID

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Nov 23

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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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

159 days

Growing Tips for Canyon 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 Canyon County, ID?

Canyon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Canyon County, ID?

Canyon County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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