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When to Plant Lemongrass in Clark County, WA

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.

Clark County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lemongrass during the growing season.

Clark County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Nov 7

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
0.9″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,910 gal / 100 sq ft
Lemongrass needs ~1,341 GDD — county provides 2,695 GDD Excellent fit

Lemongrass Planting Timeline โ€” Clark County, WA

Lemongrass Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Oct 13

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

196 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, WA?

Clark County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, WA?

Clark County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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