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When to Plant Lavender in Mills 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.

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 4,208 feet, Mills County receives approximately 61.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Mills County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Mills County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Nov 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Nov 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Dec 22

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,538 GDD — county provides 4,095 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Mills County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Nov 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Mills 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 Mills County, TX?

Mills County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mills County, TX?

Mills County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mills County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Mills County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.