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When to Plant Rosemary in Schleicher County, TX

Schleicher County, Texas Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Schleicher County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Schleicher County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost November 8
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs

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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.

Schleicher County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 3,657 feet, Schleicher County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Rosemary will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

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

Schleicher County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Nov 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Nov 18
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Dec 2

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 Schleicher County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5–8.7) is more alkaline than Rosemary prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Schleicher County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Rosemary will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Rosemary.

How to Plant Rosemary

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

Succession Planting Rosemary

3
successive plantings in your 221-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 12 to harvest before frost.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 1.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 1" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 1.3" 1.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Schleicher 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 ~2,665 GDD — county provides 4,530 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline — Schleicher County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Nov 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

221 days in Schleicher County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Schleicher County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after April 01 in Schleicher County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Schleicher County dries quickly — mulch Rosemary with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Schleicher County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Schleicher County, TX?

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

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Your Schleicher County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Schleicher 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 Schleicher 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.