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When to Plant Lemongrass in Coos County, OR

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.

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemongrass during the growing season.

Coos County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Coos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – 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
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,780 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemongrass needs ~1,633 GDD — county provides 4,053 GDD Excellent fit

Lemongrass Planting Timeline โ€” Coos County, OR

Lemongrass Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 8b

Growing Season

242 days

Growing Tips for Coos 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 Coos County, OR?

Coos County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coos County, OR?

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coos County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Coos County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.