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When to Plant Horehound in Hettinger County, ND

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

Hettinger County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 762 feet, Hettinger County receives approximately 26.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Hettinger County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Hettinger County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12

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
0.8″/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 ~1,072 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Hettinger County, ND

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Oct 1

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 Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Hettinger 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 Hettinger County, ND?

Hettinger County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hettinger County, ND?

Hettinger County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hettinger County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Hettinger County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.