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When to Plant Lavender in Sheridan 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.

Sheridan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 731 feet, Sheridan County receives approximately 27.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Sheridan County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Sheridan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 27

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

Lavender needs ~2,102 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Sheridan County, KS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Oct 12

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

179 days

Growing Tips for Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, KS?

Sheridan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheridan County, KS?

Sheridan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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