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When to Plant Hyssop in Johnson County, NE

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.

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 658 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 21.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season.

Johnson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28

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 197 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Hyssop needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,407 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, NE

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Sep 11

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

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 5b

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Johnson 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 Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, NE?

Johnson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Johnson County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.