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When to Plant Lavender in Nemaha 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.

Nemaha County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 665 feet, Nemaha County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Nemaha County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Nemaha County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Nov 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
0.5″/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 ~1,994 GDD — county provides 2,337 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Nemaha County, KS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Oct 15

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 Transplant Outdoors
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 5b

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Nemaha 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 Nemaha County, KS?

Nemaha County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nemaha County, KS?

Nemaha County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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