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When to Plant Horehound in Stafford 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.

Stafford County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 965 feet, Stafford County receives approximately 25.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Stafford County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Stafford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

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 (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17

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
Horehound needs ~1,382 GDD — county provides 3,149 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Stafford 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

188 days

Growing Tips for Stafford 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 Stafford County, KS?

Stafford 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 Stafford County, KS?

Stafford County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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