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When to Plant Lavender in Shawnee 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.

Shawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 923 feet, Shawnee County receives approximately 26.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Shawnee County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Shawnee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Nov 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Nov 19

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 146 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 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Shawnee County, KS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Nov 3

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 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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Shawnee 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 Shawnee County, KS?

Shawnee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shawnee County, KS?

Shawnee County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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