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When to Plant Lavender in Comanche County, TX

Comanche County, Texas Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Comanche County, Texas

Your garden in Comanche County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 19
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
June prep starts now
  • First harvests: lavender

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Lavender is a fragrant perennial herb with silvery foliage and purple flower spikes. It is prized for its essential oils, culinary uses, and ornamental beauty.

Comanche County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 2,216 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 59.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Lavender during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lavender root diseases.

Comanche County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Comanche County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Nov 15
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Nov 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Dec 20

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 Comanche County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.5) is within Lavender's preferred range (6.5–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Lavender.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Lavender.

How to Plant Lavender

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Comanche 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 ~2,646 GDD — county provides 4,380 GDD Excellent fit

Lavender Planting Timeline — Comanche County, TX

Lavender Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 9
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Nov 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–200 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

240 days in Comanche County

Growing Tips for Lavender in Comanche County

Direct sow Lavender outdoors after March 19 in Comanche County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With 60" of annual rainfall in Comanche County, ensure good drainage for Lavender — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

Plant in well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid heavy mulching around the crown. Prune after flowering but do not cut into old wood. Lavender resents wet winter conditions.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lavender in Comanche County, TX?

Comanche County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Lavender planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Comanche County, TX?

Comanche County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Comanche County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Comanche 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.

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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 Comanche County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.