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When to Plant Horehound in Kosciusko 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.

Kosciusko County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,257 feet, Kosciusko County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Kosciusko County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Kosciusko County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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
0.8″/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 ~1,011 GDD — county provides 2,143 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Kosciusko County, IN

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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 Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Kosciusko 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 Kosciusko County, IN?

Kosciusko County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kosciusko County, IN?

Kosciusko County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kosciusko County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Kosciusko County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.