When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Drew County, AR
Your May game plan for Drew County, Arkansas
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Drew County, Arkansas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Get lemon verbena seeds going inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: lemon verbena
Lemon verbena is a deciduous shrub with intensely lemon-scented leaves that retain their aroma when dried. It makes an exceptional tea and adds citrus flavor to dishes.
Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.
At an elevation of 1,158 feet, Drew County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Verbena during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Verbena root diseases.
Drew County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Drew County
How your county's soil matches Lemon Verbena's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.8) overlaps with Lemon Verbena's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Drew County is excellent for Lemon Verbena — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Lemon Verbena.
How to Plant Lemon Verbena
Succession Planting Lemon Verbena
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lemon Verbena Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 4.3" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 5.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.4" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Drew County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lemon Verbena Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Lemon Verbena Planting Timeline — Drew County, AR
Lemon Verbena Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 28 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Direct Sow | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Aug 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
237 days in Drew County
Growing Tips for Lemon Verbena in Drew County
Direct sow Lemon Verbena outdoors after March 18 in Drew County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
General growing tips
Grow in a container in cold climates and bring indoors for winter. Prune back hard in spring. Harvest leaves anytime but flavor peaks just before flowering. Dries well for tea.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lemon Verbena in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lemon Verbena in Drew County, AR?
Drew County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Lemon Verbena planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Drew County, AR?
Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 10.
Your Drew County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Drew County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.