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When to plant Lemongrass in Ware County, GA

For Ware County, gardeners: plant Lemongrass March 11 through April 1 once soil reads 50°F.

When to Plant Lemongrass in Ware County, GA

Ware County, Georgia Zone 9a June

Your June game plan for Ware County, Georgia

Each item below is timed to Ware County, Georgia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the lemongrass

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: lemongrass

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Lemongrass is a tropical grass with a strong citrus aroma used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. The swollen stem bases are the most flavorful part.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Lemongrass may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lemongrass, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemongrass root diseases.

Ware County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemongrass Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Sep 15

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 Ware County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) overlaps with Lemongrass's range (5.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Ware County is excellent for Lemongrass — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Lemongrass.

How to Plant Lemongrass

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

Succession Planting Lemongrass

4
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Lemongrass Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,395 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Lemongrass

Lemongrass needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lemongrass Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ware County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lemongrass 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.

Lemongrass needs ~2,072 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Lemongrass Planting Timeline — Ware County, GA

Lemongrass Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Aug 26

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

75–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Lemongrass in Ware County

Direct sow Lemongrass outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Lemongrass. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Lemongrass in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start from divisions or store-bought stalks rooted in water. Grow in rich, moist soil with full sun. In cold climates, grow in containers and overwinter indoors.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemongrass in Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Lemongrass in Ware County, GA?

In Ware County, GA, plant Lemongrass after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ware County, GA for Lemongrass?

Ware County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Lemongrass grows reliably in zones 8a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lemongrass grow in Ware County's climate?

Yes — Lemongrass grows well in Ware County's temperate climate. Ware County averages a 263-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Ware County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ware County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Ware County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.