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When to Plant Lemon Balm in Dawson County, TX

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.

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Lemon Balm may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Lemon Balm will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Dawson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lemon Balm Planting Timeline — Dawson County, TX

Lemon Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

223 days in Dawson County

Growing Tips for Dawson 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 Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Lemon Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

🌱

Your Dawson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dawson County (Zone 8a). 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 Dawson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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