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When to Plant Rue in Brunswick County, VA

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 526 feet, Brunswick County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Rue during the growing season.

Brunswick County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Brunswick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Rue

Rue needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Rue Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Rue Planting Timeline — Brunswick County, VA

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 25

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
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

209 days in Brunswick County

Growing Tips for Brunswick County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Brunswick County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Brunswick County, VA?

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Brunswick County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Brunswick 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 Brunswick County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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