When to plant lavender in Rochester, New York
April 24 – May 8
Transplant outdoors · typical Rochester yearClimate basis: NOAA station Rochester Gtr INTL AP, NY (USW00014768), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Rochester (ZCTA 14604 centroid), elevation 533 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant lavender outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 24). One year in ten still freezes after May 8.
The Rochester year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 8
Every method, with its sources
Transplant outdoors
Apr 24 – May 8Utah State University Extension instructs transplanting after the last spring frost, a point rule encoded per policy as a 14-day span opening at the last-frost date; no reconciliation was needed because this is the entry's only source. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 24). Utah State University Extension
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.
Direct-sow outdoors
Not calculatedUtah State University Extension advises against direct seeding, stating that the germination rate is low and that seeding to transplanting takes between 100 and 200 days.
Fall planting
Not calculatedNo source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (1)
- Utah State University Extension: How to Grow English Lavender in Your Garden (accessed 2026-07-25)"Transplant new plants after the last spring frost."