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When to Plant Hyssop in Polk 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.

Polk County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 1,053 feet, Polk County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Hyssop to ensure they mature before fall.

Polk County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hyssop needs ~680 GDD — county provides 1,215 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Polk County, MN

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Sep 21

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 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

70โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 3b

Growing Season

143 days

Growing Tips for Polk 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 Polk County, MN?

Polk County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Polk County, MN?

Polk County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Polk County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Polk County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.