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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Carson County, TX

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.

Carson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,585 feet, Carson County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Lemon Balm may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lemon Balm will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Carson County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Carson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.9-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 28

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 666 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lemon Balm needs ~1,576 GDD — county provides 4,704 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Carson County, TX

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 11

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 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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Carson 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 Carson County, TX?

Carson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carson County, TX?

Carson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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