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When to Plant Horehound in Queen Anne's County, MD

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

Queen Anne's County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 479 feet, Queen Anne's County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Queen Anne's County, MD (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Queen Anne's County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~1,629 GDD — county provides 4,345 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline — Queen Anne's County, MD

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 – Aug 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low — drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

75–90 days

Soil pH

6 – 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Queen Anne's 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 Queen Anne's County, MD?

Queen Anne's County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Queen Anne's County, MD?

Queen Anne's County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Queen Anne's County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Queen Anne's County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.