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When to Plant Rosemary in Greenlee 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.

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 4,156 feet, Greenlee County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Greenlee County, AZ (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Greenlee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.1-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Nov 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Dec 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (287 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Feb 4

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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 624 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Rosemary needs ~2,762 GDD — county provides 3,888 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Greenlee County, AZ

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Dec 9

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 Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

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 7a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Greenlee 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 Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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