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When to Plant Lovage in Lane County, OR

Lovage is a large perennial herb with a celery-like flavor that can grow 4-6 feet tall. All parts are edible including the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots.

Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 48 feet, Lane County receives approximately 50.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lovage to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lovage root diseases.

Lane County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Lane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lovage needs ~860 GDD — county provides 2,010 GDD Excellent fit

Lovage Planting Timeline โ€” Lane County, OR

Lovage Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
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

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Lane County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. One plant is usually enough for a family. Harvest outer stems and leaves as needed. Divide clumps every 3-4 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lovage in Lane County, OR?

Lane County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Lovage planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lane County, OR?

Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lane 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 Lane County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.