Blog

When to Plant Lemon Balm in Garfield County, UT

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.

Garfield County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 117 days.

At an elevation of 5,058 feet, Garfield County receives approximately 20.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lemon Balm to ensure they mature before fall.

Garfield County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
117 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
117 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Garfield 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 (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 21

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 339 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lemon Balm needs ~845 GDD — county provides 1,521 GDD Excellent fit

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline โ€” Garfield County, UT

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 23

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 โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

117 days

Growing Tips for Garfield 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 Garfield County, UT?

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

What planting zone is Garfield County, UT?

Garfield County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garfield County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Garfield County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.