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When to Plant Rosemary in Yavapai 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.

Yavapai County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 3,732 feet, Yavapai County receives approximately 14.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101ยฐF, 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.

Yavapai County, AZ (Zone 7b) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Yavapai County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Nov 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Dec 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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 821 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rosemary needs ~3,348 GDD — county provides 5,407 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Yavapai County, AZ

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Nov 26

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

210 days

Growing Tips for Yavapai 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 Yavapai County, AZ?

Yavapai County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yavapai County, AZ?

Yavapai County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 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 Yavapai 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 Yavapai County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.