Blog

When to Plant Hyssop in Sioux 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.

Sioux County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 775 feet, Sioux County receives approximately 24.4 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.

Sioux County, NE (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Sioux County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 27

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 Sioux County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.2) is within Hyssop's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) 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 129-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 24 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Hyssop

Hyssop needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Hyssop Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Sioux County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Hyssop Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Hyssop needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,677 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Sioux County, NE

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 โ€“ Oct 3

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

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 4a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

129 days in Sioux County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Sioux County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 16 in Sioux County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sioux County receives only 24" of rain annually. Hyssop needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hyssop in Sioux County, NE?

Sioux County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sioux County, NE?

Sioux County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sioux County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Sioux County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.