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When to Plant Lavender in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 567 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Monroe County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Nov 16
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Dec 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
0.8″/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 ~1,994 GDD — county provides 2,420 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, OH

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Nov 16

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 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

176 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, OH?

Monroe County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, OH?

Monroe County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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