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When to Plant Rosemary in Webster Parish, LA

Webster Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

This month in Webster Parish, Louisiana

Each item below is timed to Webster Parish, Louisiana's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 21
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: rosemary

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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.

Webster Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 138 feet, Webster Parish receives approximately 57 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Webster Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10
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Webster Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Oct 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Nov 29

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 Webster Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.7) overlaps with Rosemary's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Webster Parish is excellent for Rosemary — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Rosemary.

How to Plant Rosemary

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

Succession Planting Rosemary

3
successive plantings in your 234-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Rosemary

Rosemary 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 Rosemary Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Rosemary 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.

Rosemary needs ~2,665 GDD — county provides 4,797 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline — Webster Parish, LA

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Nov 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

234 days in Webster Parish

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Webster Parish

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after March 21 in Webster Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With 57" of annual rainfall in Webster Parish, ensure good drainage for Rosemary — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Webster Parish, LA?

Webster Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster Parish, LA?

Webster Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Webster Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster Parish (Zone 8b). 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 Webster Parish, LA. 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.