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When to Plant Horehound in Decatur County, IN

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

Decatur County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 985 feet, Decatur County receives approximately 32.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Decatur County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Decatur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Decatur County, IN

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

193 days

Growing Tips for Decatur 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 Decatur County, IN?

Decatur County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Decatur County, IN?

Decatur County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Decatur 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 Decatur County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.