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When to Plant Lavender in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 349 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 64.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Jefferson County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 31 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Nov 13

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lavender needs ~3,734 GDD — county provides 7,647 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Oct 23

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
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 9a

Growing Season

296 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, TX?

Jefferson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, TX?

Jefferson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Jefferson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.