Blog

When to Plant Lemongrass in Glades County, FL

Lemongrass is a tropical grass with a strong citrus aroma used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. The swollen stem bases are the most flavorful part.

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 434 feet, Glades County receives approximately 54.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, so Lemongrass may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lemongrass will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemongrass root diseases.

Glades County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 1
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Glades County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 11 Transplant: Jan 29 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Feb 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 18 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Aug 23

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
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,559 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemongrass needs ~2,511 GDD — county provides 8,291 GDD Excellent fit

Lemongrass Planting Timeline โ€” Glades County, FL

Lemongrass Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 21 Dec 21 โ€“ Jan 4
Transplant Outdoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Direct Sow February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Mar 1
Harvest April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December Start Indoors

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

75โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9b

Growing Season

321 days

Growing Tips for Glades County

Start from divisions or store-bought stalks rooted in water. Grow in rich, moist soil with full sun. In cold climates, grow in containers and overwinter indoors.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemongrass in Glades County, FL?

Glades County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 1. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glades County, FL?

Glades County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and first fall frost is December 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Glades County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Glades County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.