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When to Plant Rosemary in Kimble County, TX

Kimble County, Texas Zone 8a May

Top priorities for Kimble County, Texas gardeners in May

Your Kimble County, Texas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 28
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
June prep starts now
  • First harvests: rosemary

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Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,850 feet, Kimble County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Rosemary may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Kimble County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Kimble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Oct 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Nov 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Dec 4

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 Kimble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.6) overlaps with Rosemary's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Rosemary.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Rosemary.

How to Plant Rosemary

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

Succession Planting Rosemary

3
successive plantings in your 227-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Rosemary

Rosemary 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 Rosemary Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 2.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Kimble County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rosemary 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.

Rosemary needs ~2,958 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline — Kimble County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Nov 14

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 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

80–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Kimble County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Kimble County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after March 28 in Kimble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Kimble County, provide afternoon shade for Rosemary and water deeply in the morning.

With 57" of annual rainfall in Kimble County, ensure good drainage for Rosemary — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Your Kimble County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kimble 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 Kimble 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.