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When to Plant Lavender in Yazoo County, MS

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.

Yazoo County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 452 feet, Yazoo County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lavender, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Yazoo County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Yazoo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Nov 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Dec 9

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 ~2,646 GDD — county provides 4,489 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Yazoo County, MS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Nov 19

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Yazoo 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 Yazoo County, MS?

Yazoo County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yazoo County, MS?

Yazoo County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yazoo County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Yazoo County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.