When to plant lemon balm

Lemon Balm (herb) is classed perennial in the cited extension guidance. The timing rules below are relative to your local freeze dates — enter a location to turn them into calendar dates.

The rules this site applies
MethodFrost-relative windowRule & reconciliation
Start seeds indoors6–4 weeks before the median last spring freezeWisconsin Horticulture sows lemon balm indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, so the window runs 6 to 4 weeks before that date.
Transplant outdoorsfrom the median last spring freeze to 2 weeks afterWisconsin Horticulture ties lemon balm transplanting to seedling height rather than a date, so the frost anchor comes from Virginia Cooperative Extension's herb publication — whose herb table lists lemon balm — which sets all herb plants out after the danger of severe frost has passed.

Variety assumption: A hardy perennial that self-seeds freely; these windows apply to first-year plantings from seed or nursery plants.

Crop rule sources (2)
Reviewed city pages for lemon balm
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