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When to Plant Bee Balm in Surry County, VA

Bee balm is a native perennial herb with shaggy, scarlet flower heads that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its leaves make an aromatic tea reminiscent of Earl Grey.

Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 946 feet, Surry County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Bee Balm during the growing season.

Surry County, VA (Zone 8a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Surry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bee Balm Planting Timeline — Surry County, VA

Bee Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 – Apr 24
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Sep 25

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
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

217 days in Surry County

Growing Tips for Surry County

Start from seed, divisions, or transplants. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers for reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bee Balm in Surry County, VA?

Surry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Bee Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Surry County, VA?

Surry County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Your Surry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Surry 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.

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 Surry County, VA. 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.