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When to Plant Rosemary in Amelia County, VA

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.

Amelia County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 871 feet, Amelia County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Amelia County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Amelia County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Nov 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Nov 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Dec 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~2,275 GDD — county provides 3,605 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Amelia County, VA

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Nov 25

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

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 7a

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Amelia 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 Amelia County, VA?

Amelia County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Amelia County, VA?

Amelia County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Amelia County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.