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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Murray County, OK

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.

Murray County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 640 feet, Murray County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season.

Murray County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Murray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 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.

Soil Compatibility in Murray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.7) overlaps with Lemon Balm's range (5.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Lemon Balm will thrive.

How to Plant Lemon Balm

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

Succession Planting Lemon Balm

4
successive plantings in your 219-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 129 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lemon Balm needs ~1,332 GDD — county provides 4,489 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Murray County, OK

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 25

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 โ€”
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 Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

219 days in Murray County

Growing Tips for Lemon Balm in Murray County

Direct sow Lemon Balm outdoors after March 28 in Murray 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 Murray County, OK?

Murray County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Murray County, OK?

Murray County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Murray County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Murray County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.