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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Crittenden County, KY

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.

Crittenden County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 2,837 feet, Crittenden County receives approximately 44.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season.

Crittenden County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
210 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Crittenden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Balm needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 3,675 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Crittenden County, KY

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 1

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

210 days

Growing Tips for Crittenden 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 Crittenden County, KY?

Crittenden County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crittenden County, KY?

Crittenden County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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