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When to Plant Rosemary in Hendry 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.

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 403 feet, Hendry County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, 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.

Hendry County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost January 14
91 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Hendry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Sep 2
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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 26 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Rosemary needs ~2,178 GDD — county provides 6,113 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Hendry County, FL

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors January 21 Jan 21 โ€“ Feb 4
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Sep 2

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 Harvest
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

91 days

Growing Tips for Hendry 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 Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 14. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and first fall frost is .

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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