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When to Plant Lavender in Carson County, TX

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.

Carson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,585 feet, Carson County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Lavender may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lavender will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Carson County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Carson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.9-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Nov 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Dec 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Dec 18

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lavender needs ~3,516 GDD — county provides 4,704 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Carson County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Dec 1

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 Harvest

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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Carson 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 Carson County, TX?

Carson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carson County, TX?

Carson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carson County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Carson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.