Zone 8b covers 47 days of last-frost dates. We measured Fort Worth, TX at Feb 18 and Eugene, OR at Apr 6. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 8b
Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 6 and first fall frost Nov 22 — about 261 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 6 and first picking around May 5.
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 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 22).
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full lemon balm growing guide →