Blog

When to Plant Bee Balm in Cameron County, PA

Bee balm is a native perennial herb with shaggy, scarlet flower heads that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its leaves make an aromatic tea reminiscent of Earl Grey.

Cameron County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 440 feet, Cameron County receives approximately 47.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Bee Balm to ensure they mature before fall.

Cameron County, PA (Zone 6a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Cameron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bee Balm Planting Timeline — Cameron County, PA

Bee Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 – Jun 7
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

145 days in Cameron County

Growing Tips for Cameron County

Start from seed, divisions, or transplants. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers for reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bee Balm in Cameron County, PA?

Cameron County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Bee Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cameron County, PA?

Cameron County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 9.

🌱

Your Cameron County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cameron County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cameron County, PA. 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.