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When to Plant Rosemary in Willacy 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.

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 1,085 feet, Willacy County receives approximately 65.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Rosemary may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Willacy County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
321 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
321 growing days
First Fall Frost December 22

Willacy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Oct 21

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 ~3,445 GDD — county provides 8,533 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Willacy County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 9b

Growing Season

321 days

Growing Tips for Willacy 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 Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Willacy County, TX?

Willacy County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Willacy County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Willacy County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.