Blog

When to Plant Lavender in Neosho County, KS

Neosho County, Kansas Zone 7a May

Top priorities for Neosho County, Kansas gardeners in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Neosho County, Kansas.

Avg. last frost April 7
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb with silvery foliage and purple flower spikes. It is prized for its essential oils, culinary uses, and ornamental beauty.

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 666 feet, Neosho County receives approximately 23.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Neosho County, KS (Zone 7a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Neosho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Nov 18
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Nov 24
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Dec 8

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 Neosho County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) is within Lavender's preferred range (6.5–8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Neosho County is excellent for Lavender — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Lavender.

How to Plant Lavender

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Lavender

Lavender needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lavender Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 1.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Lavender 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.

Lavender needs ~2,429 GDD — county provides 3,400 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline — Neosho County, KS

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 – Nov 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–200 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

203 days in Neosho County

Growing Tips for Lavender in Neosho County

Direct sow Lavender outdoors after April 07 in Neosho County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 203.0-day growing season in Neosho County is tight for Lavender (90.0-200.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid heavy mulching around the crown. Prune after flowering but do not cut into old wood. Lavender resents wet winter conditions.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lavender in Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Neosho County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Neosho County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Neosho County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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