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When to Plant Rosemary in Frio 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.

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 3,892 feet, Frio County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Frio County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Frio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Nov 7

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
Rosemary needs ~2,568 GDD — county provides 5,411 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Frio County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Oct 15

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

273 days

Growing Tips for Frio 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 Frio County, TX?

Frio County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frio County, TX?

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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