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When to Plant Rosemary in Caldwell County, TX

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.

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.

At an elevation of 3,482 feet, Caldwell County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Caldwell County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
277 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
277 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Caldwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Nov 8

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
0.9″/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 ~2,275 GDD — county provides 4,865 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Caldwell County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Oct 16

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 Harvest
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

277 days

Growing Tips for Caldwell 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 Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Caldwell County, TX?

Caldwell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is December 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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