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When to Plant Horehound in Montrose County, CO

Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 6,494 feet, Montrose County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Horehound successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Montrose County, CO (Zone 6a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
91 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Montrose County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 31
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Nov 13

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Horehound needs ~1,258 GDD — county provides 1,387 GDD Good fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Montrose County, CO

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 4
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Oct 31

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

75โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

91 days

Growing Tips for Montrose County

Direct sow or start from divisions. Thrives in poor, dry soil. Harvest stems just before flowering. Deadhead to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Very drought-tolerant once established.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horehound in Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montrose County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montrose County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.