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When to Plant Hyssop in Lemhi 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.

Lemhi County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 97 days.

At an elevation of 6,743 feet, Lemhi County receives approximately 12.6 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.

Lemhi County, ID (Zone 4b) Very short season
97 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
97 growing days
First Fall Frost September 14

Lemhi County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 27
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Nov 12

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
0.6″/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

Hyssop needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,261 GDD Good fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Lemhi County, ID

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jun 30
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Oct 27

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 โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

97 days

Growing Tips for Lemhi 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 Lemhi County, ID?

Lemhi County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lemhi County, ID?

Lemhi County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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