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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Eagle County, CO

Lemon balm is a vigorous perennial herb with bright green, lemon-scented leaves. It makes a refreshing tea and is easy to grow but can spread aggressively.

Eagle County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 7,116 feet, Eagle County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lemon Balm to ensure they mature before fall.

Eagle County, CO (Zone 4b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Eagle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 24

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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

Lemon Balm needs ~699 GDD — county provides 892 GDD Good fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Eagle County, CO

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“70 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

83 days

Growing Tips for Eagle County

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Contain in pots or use barriers to prevent spreading. Harvest frequently to keep plants bushy and prevent flowering.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Balm in Eagle County, CO?

Eagle County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eagle County, CO?

Eagle County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Eagle County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Eagle County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.