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When to Plant Lavender in Johnson County, KS

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.

Johnson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 768 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Johnson County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Nov 12

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
0.6″/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 ~2,211 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, KS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Oct 28

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, KS?

Johnson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, KS?

Johnson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Johnson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.