Blog

When to Plant Rosemary in Floyd County, GA

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.

Floyd County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 169 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Rosemary, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Floyd County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Nov 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Nov 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Dec 6

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.

Soil Compatibility in Floyd County

How your county's soil matches Rosemary's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.2) is more acidic than Rosemary prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Floyd County is excellent for Rosemary โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Rosemary.

How to Plant Rosemary

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Rosemary

2
successive plantings in your 207-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Rosemary

Rosemary needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Rosemary Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 3.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Floyd County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rosemary Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Rosemary needs ~2,372 GDD — county provides 3,777 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Floyd County, GA

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Nov 23

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“180 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

207 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Floyd County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after April 06 in Floyd County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Floyd County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Rosemary. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Floyd County, GA?

Floyd County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, GA?

Floyd County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Floyd County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Floyd County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.