Blog

When to Plant Rosemary in Wichita County, TX

Wichita County, Texas Zone 8a April

Wichita County, Texas gardeners: here's your April plan

April is a pivotal month for Wichita County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 21
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 45°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 12.9 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Wichita County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 4,706 feet, Wichita County receives approximately 55 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Wichita County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Wichita County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Oct 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Nov 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Dec 1

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 Wichita County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.5) is within Rosemary's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 236-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 16 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 6/10 — 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 8.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wichita 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 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline — Wichita County, TX

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Nov 7

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

80–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

236 days in Wichita County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Wichita County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after March 21 in Wichita County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Wichita County, TX?

Wichita County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wichita County, TX?

Wichita County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Wichita County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wichita County (Zone 7b). 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 Wichita County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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