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When to Plant Rosemary in Goochland 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.

Goochland County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 277 feet, Goochland County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season.

Goochland County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Goochland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Nov 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Dec 9

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
Rosemary needs ~2,178 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Goochland County, VA

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Nov 26

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 Goochland 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 Goochland County, VA?

Goochland County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Goochland County, VA?

Goochland County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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