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When to Plant Lavender in Refugio 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.

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 1,000 feet, Refugio County receives approximately 68.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Lavender may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Refugio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Refugio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Oct 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Oct 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Nov 19

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.

Soil Compatibility in Refugio County

How your county's soil matches Lavender's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.2) is within Lavender's preferred range (6.5โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Refugio County is excellent for Lavender โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Lavender.

How to Plant Lavender

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~3,951 GDD — county provides 8,011 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Refugio County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Oct 26

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“200 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

293 days in Refugio County

Growing Tips for Lavender in Refugio County

Direct sow Lavender outdoors after February 16 in Refugio County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 103ยฐF in Refugio County, provide afternoon shade for Lavender and water deeply in the morning.

With 68" of annual rainfall in Refugio County, ensure good drainage for Lavender โ€” excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

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 Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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