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When to Plant Lavender in Bates County, MO

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.

Bates County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,397 feet, Bates County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Bates County, MO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bates County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Oct 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Nov 8

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
0.8″/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 ~2,102 GDD — county provides 2,885 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Bates County, MO

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Oct 29

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 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 6a

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Bates 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 Bates County, MO?

Bates County is in Zone 6a 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 Bates County, MO?

Bates County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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