When to Plant Lemongrass in Lane County, OR
Your May game plan for Lane County, Oregon
May is a pivotal month for Lane County, Oregon gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Transplant lemongrass outside
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tropical grass with a strong citrus aroma used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. The swollen stem bases are the most flavorful part.
Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.
At an elevation of 48 feet, Lane County receives approximately 50.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lemongrass to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemongrass root diseases.
Lane County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lane County
How your county's soil matches Lemongrass's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.4) is within Lemongrass's preferred range (5.5–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lane County is excellent for Lemongrass — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Lemongrass will thrive.
How to Plant Lemongrass
Succession Planting Lemongrass
Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 27 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lemongrass
Lemongrass needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lemongrass Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 7.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 6.5" | 4" | 2.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 6.5" | 2.5" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 1.6" | 4.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 0.8" | 5.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 0.9" | 5.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2" | 4.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 4.3" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 8.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lane County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lemongrass 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.
Lemongrass Planting Timeline — Lane County, OR
Lemongrass Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 5 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Direct Sow | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 19 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Oct 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
75–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
187 days in Lane County
Growing Tips for Lemongrass in Lane County
Direct sow Lemongrass outdoors after April 21 in Lane County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Lemongrass in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start from divisions or store-bought stalks rooted in water. Grow in rich, moist soil with full sun. In cold climates, grow in containers and overwinter indoors.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lemongrass in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lemongrass in Lane County, OR?
Lane County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Lemongrass planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lane County, OR?
Lane County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 25.
Your Lane County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lane County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.