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When to Plant Horehound in Talbot 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.

Talbot County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Talbot County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Talbot County, MD (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Talbot County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~1,320 GDD — county provides 3,536 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Talbot County, MD

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 19

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Talbot 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 Talbot County, MD?

Talbot County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Talbot County, MD?

Talbot County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Talbot County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Talbot County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.