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

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 1 · Transplant Mar 15 · First harvest May 14 · Wrap by Sep 3

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 1

Transplant outMar 15

First harvestMay 14

Last harvestSep 3

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 8b?

Lemon Balm matures in about 60–90 days from transplanting. In zone 8b that means setting plants out around Mar 15 and first picking around May 14.

Will lemon balm survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — lemon balm tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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