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When to Plant Rosemary in Graham County, AZ

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Graham County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 2,604 feet, Graham County receives approximately 8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Rosemary may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Rosemary will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Rosemary successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Graham County, AZ (Zone 7b) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Graham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Oct 31
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Nov 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Dec 17

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,120 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rosemary needs ~3,055 GDD — county provides 5,005 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Graham County, AZ

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Nov 23

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

213 days

Growing Tips for Graham County

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Graham County, AZ?

Graham County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Graham County, AZ?

Graham County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Graham County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Graham County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.