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When to Plant Lavender in Kent 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.

Kent County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 1,287 feet, Kent County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, 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.

Kent County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Nov 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Nov 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Dec 2

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 ~3,408 GDD — county provides 5,193 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Kent County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Nov 17

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 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 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Kent 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 Kent County, TX?

Kent County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kent County, TX?

Kent County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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