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When to Plant Horehound in Green County, WI

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

Green County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 1,235 feet, Green County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Green County, WI (Zone 5a) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Green County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Horehound needs ~1,011 GDD — county provides 2,045 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Green County, WI

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 14

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 5a

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Green 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 Green County, WI?

Green County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Green County, WI?

Green County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Green County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Green County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.