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When to Plant Hyssop in Itasca County, MN

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.

Itasca County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 506 feet, Itasca County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Hyssop to ensure they mature before fall.

Itasca County, MN (Zone 3a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Itasca County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 7

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 Itasca County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“7.3) is within Hyssop's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) โ€” Hyssop will thrive.

How to Plant Hyssop

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

Succession Planting Hyssop

2
successive plantings in your 144-day season

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hyssop needs ~860 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Itasca County, MN

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
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

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: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 3a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

144 days in Itasca County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Itasca County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 10 in Itasca County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Itasca County, MN?

Itasca County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Itasca County, MN?

Itasca County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Itasca County gardeners in Zone 3a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Itasca County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.