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When to Plant Lavender in Hamilton County, OH

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.

Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 735 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Hamilton County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Nov 26

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 3,431 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, OH

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Nov 5

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 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 6a

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, OH?

Hamilton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, OH?

Hamilton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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