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When to Plant Lavender in Somerset County, NJ

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.

Somerset County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 182 feet, Somerset County receives approximately 45.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Somerset County, NJ (Zone 6b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Somerset County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Oct 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Oct 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 29

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
Lavender needs ~2,538 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Somerset County, NJ

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Oct 18

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 6b

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Somerset 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 Somerset County, NJ?

Somerset County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Somerset County, NJ?

Somerset County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Somerset County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Somerset County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.