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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Platte 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.

Platte County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 594 feet, Platte County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Balm during the growing season.

Platte County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Platte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline — Platte County, NE

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
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

171 days in Platte County

Growing Tips for Platte 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 Platte County, NE?

Platte County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Platte County, NE?

Platte County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Your Platte County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Platte 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 Platte 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.