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When to Plant Hyssop in Blaine County, ID

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.

Blaine County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 7,128 feet, Blaine County receives approximately 17.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Hyssop to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hyssop successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Blaine County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
138 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Blaine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 164 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Hyssop needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,794 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Blaine County, ID

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Oct 5

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

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Blaine County

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 Blaine County, ID?

Blaine County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Blaine County, ID?

Blaine County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Blaine 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 Blaine County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.