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When to Plant Horehound in Sheridan 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.

Sheridan County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 731 feet, Sheridan County receives approximately 27.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Sheridan County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Sheridan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Horehound needs ~1,196 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Sheridan County, KS

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, KS?

Sheridan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheridan County, KS?

Sheridan County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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