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When to Plant Horehound in Bucks County, PA

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

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Bucks County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Bucks County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bucks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~1,320 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Bucks County, PA

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Sep 5

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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Bucks 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 Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bucks County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bucks County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.