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When to Plant Rosemary in Collier County, FL

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.

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 93 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Collier County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Collier County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
93 days
Last Spring Frost January 12
93 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Collier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – 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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~1,788 GDD — county provides 5,018 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Collier County, FL

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Harvest April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors
February Transplant Outdoors
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
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 10a

Growing Season

93 days

Growing Tips for Collier 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 Collier County, FL?

Collier County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 12. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Collier County, FL?

Collier County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 12 and first fall frost is .

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Collier County gardeners in Zone 10a 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 Collier County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.