When to plant lemon balm in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 11 · Transplant Mar 25 · First harvest May 24 · Wrap by Sep 13

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 11

Transplant outMar 25

First harvestMay 24

Last harvestSep 13

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 8a?

Lemon Balm matures in about 60–90 days from transplanting. In zone 8a that means setting plants out around Mar 25 and first picking around May 24.

Will lemon balm survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — lemon balm tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

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