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When to plant Lavender in Dunklin County County,

In Dunklin County County, Lavender is a spring-only crop. Plant April 3–April 17 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Lavender in Dunklin County, MO

Lavender
Dunklin County, Missouri Zone 7b June

June to-do list for Dunklin County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Basket week: lavender

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: lavender

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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a fragrant Mediterranean sub-shrub prized for its silver-gray foliage and intensely aromatic purple flower spikes. A classic companion for roses and an unmatched pollinator magnet, lavender thrives in the exact conditions that challenge many plants: poor, rocky, alkaline soil with excellent drainage and full sun. English lavender is the most cold-hardy species, reliably perennial in Zones 5–9. Fresh or dried flowers are widely used in sachets, essential oils, culinary applications, and dried arrangements.

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,344 feet, Dunklin County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Dunklin County, MO (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Dunklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Lavender Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Mar 26 🌸 Bloom: Jun 4 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Apr 3 🌸 Bloom: Jun 12 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🌸 Bloom: Jul 2 – Sep 24

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 Dunklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–7.1) is more acidic than Lavender prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Lavender.

How to Plant Lavender

0.5"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Lavender Water Budget

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

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Dunklin 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 ~2,152 GDD — county provides 4,510 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline — Dunklin County, MO

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Bloom June 12 Jun 12 – Sep 4

Plant 0.5" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Dunklin County

Growing Tips for Lavender in Dunklin County

Direct sow Lavender outdoors after March 27 in Dunklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

The single most important requirement for lavender success is excellent drainage — it will rot in heavy clay or wet winter soils before cold alone kills it. Amend with coarse sand or fine gravel if needed; raised beds work well in Zones 5–6. Start from rooted cuttings or transplants rather than seed for named cultivars. Transplant after last frost when soil is reliably warm (55°F+). Avoid rich or overly moist soils. Prune lightly after each flush of bloom, but never cut into old wood below the green growth zone — it will not regenerate from leafless woody stems. In Zones 5–6, mulch lightly with gravel (not bark/organic material which traps moisture) around the crown for winter protection. Year 2+ plants develop into full, mature shrubs with the most prolific bloom.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lavender in Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dunklin County, MO?

Dunklin County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

When should I plant Lavender in Dunklin County, ?

In Dunklin County, , plant Lavender after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dunklin County, for Lavender?

Dunklin County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Lavender grows reliably in zones 5a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lavender grow in Dunklin County's climate?

Yes — Lavender grows well in Dunklin County's temperate climate. Dunklin County averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Dunklin County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dunklin County (Zone 7b). 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 Dunklin County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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