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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Hamilton County, NE

Lemon balm is a vigorous perennial herb with bright green, lemon-scented leaves. It makes a refreshing tea and is easy to grow but can spread aggressively.

Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 861 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season.

Hamilton County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, NE

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

168 days in Hamilton County

Growing Tips for Hamilton County

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Contain in pots or use barriers to prevent spreading. Harvest frequently to keep plants bushy and prevent flowering.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Balm in Hamilton County, NE?

Hamilton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, NE?

Hamilton County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 10.

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Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hamilton County (Zone 5b). 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 Hamilton County, NE. 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.