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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Comal 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.

Comal County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.

At an elevation of 1,346 feet, Comal County receives approximately 58.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lemon Balm, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Balm root diseases.

Comal County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
261 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
261 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Comal County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 30

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
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 ~1,186 GDD — county provides 4,763 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Comal County, TX

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

261 days

Growing Tips for Comal 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 Comal County, TX?

Comal County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Comal County, TX?

Comal County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Comal County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Comal County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.