When to plant lemon balm in zone 4b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 4B

Growing SeasonZone 4b

Last frost ~May 15First frost ~Sep 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Apr 3 · Transplant May 15 · First harvest Jul 14 · Wrap by Sep 25

Last spring frostMay 15

Start seeds indoorsApr 3

Transplant outMay 15

First harvestJul 14

Last harvestSep 25

First fall frostSep 25

Why these dates work in zone 4b

Zone 4b's last spring frost averages May 15 and first fall frost Sep 25 — about 133 frost-free days. Lemon Balm tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 6 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms.

Common questions

How long does lemon balm take to grow in zone 4b?

Lemon Balm matures in about 60–90 days from transplanting. In zone 4b that means setting plants out around May 15 and first picking around Jul 14.

Will lemon balm survive frost in zone 4b?

Yes — lemon balm tolerates light frost. In zone 4b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 25).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full lemon balm growing guide →