Blog

When to Plant Lavender in Dorchester County, MD

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.

Dorchester County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 521 feet, Dorchester County receives approximately 44.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Dorchester County, MD (Zone 7b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Dorchester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Nov 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Dec 20

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,972 GDD — county provides 4,223 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Dorchester County, MD

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Nov 26

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 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 7b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, MD?

Dorchester County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dorchester County, MD?

Dorchester County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dorchester County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Dorchester County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.