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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Huron County, OH

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.

Huron County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,242 feet, Huron County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season.

Huron County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Huron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9

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 Huron County

How your county's soil matches Lemon Balm's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1โ€“7.1) is within Lemon Balm's preferred range (5.5โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Huron County is excellent for Lemon Balm โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Lemon Balm.

How to Plant Lemon Balm

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

Succession Planting Lemon Balm

3
successive plantings in your 174-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemon Balm needs ~991 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Huron County, OH

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 24

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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

174 days in Huron County

Growing Tips for Lemon Balm in Huron County

Direct sow Lemon Balm outdoors after April 27 in Huron County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Huron County, OH?

Huron County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Huron County, OH?

Huron County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Huron County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Huron County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.