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When to Plant Hyssop in Thomas 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.

Thomas County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 1,062 feet, Thomas County receives approximately 31.2 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.

Thomas County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Thomas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 9

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
0.9″/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 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Thomas County, NE

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 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 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 4b

Growing Season

148 days

Growing Tips for Thomas 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 Thomas County, NE?

Thomas County is in Zone 4b 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 Thomas County, NE?

Thomas County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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