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When to Plant Horehound in Iowa 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.

Iowa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 602 feet, Iowa County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Iowa County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Iowa 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 (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Horehound needs ~949 GDD — county provides 1,805 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline โ€” Iowa County, WI

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 20

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

157 days

Growing Tips for Iowa 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 Iowa County, WI?

Iowa County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iowa County, WI?

Iowa County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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