Blog

When to Plant Horehound in Murray County, MN

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

Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,278 feet, Murray County receives approximately 38 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Murray County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Murray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 3

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~825 GDD — county provides 1,510 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Murray County, MN

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Murray 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 Murray County, MN?

Murray County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Murray County, MN?

Murray County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Murray County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Murray County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.