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When to Plant Lavender in Augusta County, VA

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.

Augusta County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 889 feet, Augusta County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Augusta County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Augusta County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Nov 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Nov 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lavender needs ~2,211 GDD — county provides 2,821 GDD Good fit

Lavender Planting Timeline โ€” Augusta County, VA

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Nov 9

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 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 6b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Augusta 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 Augusta County, VA?

Augusta County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Augusta County, VA?

Augusta County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Augusta County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Augusta County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.