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When to Plant Rosemary in Williamson 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.

Williamson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Williamson County receives approximately 53.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Williamson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Williamson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Nov 23

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 Williamson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1โ€“7.8) overlaps with Rosemary's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (46% clay) in Williamson County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Drainage

Rosemary prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Rosemary.

How to Plant Rosemary

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

Succession Planting Rosemary

3
successive plantings in your 262-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 26 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~2,665 GDD — county provides 5,371 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Williamson County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Oct 22

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

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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

262 days in Williamson County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Williamson County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after March 05 in Williamson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Williamson County's clay soil (46% 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Williamson County, TX?

Williamson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Williamson County, TX?

Williamson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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