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When to Plant Lemongrass in Washington County, UT

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.

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,524 feet, Washington County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemongrass during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Lemongrass successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washington County, UT (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 25

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
0.3″/week
You supply
2.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,783 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Lemongrass needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Lemongrass Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, UT

Lemongrass Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Oct 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, UT?

Washington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, UT?

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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