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When to Plant Lavender in Adams County, NE

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.

Adams County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Adams County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lavender to ensure they mature before fall.

Adams County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Nov 5

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 ~1,885 GDD — county provides 2,106 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Adams County, NE

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Oct 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Adams 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 Adams County, NE?

Adams County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, NE?

Adams County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adams County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Adams County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.