When to plant lemon balm in zone 6b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 9 · Transplant Apr 20 · First harvest Jun 19 · Wrap by Oct 9

Last spring frostApr 20

Start seeds indoorsMar 9

Transplant outApr 20

First harvestJun 19

Last harvestOct 9

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 6b?

Lemon Balm matures in about 60–90 days from transplanting. In zone 6b that means setting plants out around Apr 20 and first picking around Jun 19.

Will lemon balm survive frost in zone 6b?

Yes — lemon balm tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

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