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When to Plant Horehound in Reno County, KS

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

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 635 feet, Reno County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Reno County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Reno County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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
0.6″/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 ~1,506 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Reno County, KS

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 3

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 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 6a

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Reno 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 Reno County, KS?

Reno County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reno County, KS?

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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