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When to Plant Rue in Brunswick County, VA

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 526 feet, Brunswick County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Brunswick County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Brunswick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Rue

Rue needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Rue Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Brunswick County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rue Planting Timeline โ€” Brunswick County, VA

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Brunswick County

Growing Tips for Brunswick County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Brunswick County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Brunswick County, VA?

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brunswick County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Brunswick County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.