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When to Plant Hyssop in St. Clair County, AL

Hyssop is a semi-evergreen perennial herb with intense blue flower spikes that attract bees and butterflies. It has a minty, slightly bitter flavor used in liqueurs and teas.

St. Clair County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 211 feet, St. Clair County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Hyssop, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

St. Clair County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

St. Clair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 2

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.

Soil Compatibility in St. Clair County

How your county's soil matches Hyssop's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.8) overlaps with Hyssop's range (6.0โ€“8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in St. Clair County is excellent for Hyssop โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Hyssop.

How to Plant Hyssop

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Hyssop

3
successive plantings in your 219-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

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
Hyssop needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,668 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” St. Clair County, AL

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 14

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

219 days in St. Clair County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in St. Clair County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after March 27 in St. Clair County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With St. Clair County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Hyssop. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. Prune back in early spring to encourage bushy growth. Hyssop is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in poor soil.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Radish

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hyssop in St. Clair County, AL?

St. Clair County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Clair County, AL?

St. Clair County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Clair County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 St. Clair County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.