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When to Plant Lavender in Sarpy 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.

Sarpy County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 502 feet, Sarpy County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Sarpy County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Sarpy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1

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
0.7″/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 2,479 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Sarpy County, NE

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Oct 15

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 5a

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Sarpy 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 Sarpy County, NE?

Sarpy County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sarpy County, NE?

Sarpy County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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