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When to Plant Rosemary in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 223 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Jackson County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Nov 13

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Rosemary needs ~2,470 GDD — county provides 4,902 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, FL

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Oct 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

258 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, FL?

Jackson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, FL?

Jackson County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Jackson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.