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When to Plant Hyssop in Chautauqua County, NY

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.

Chautauqua County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 196 feet, Chautauqua County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season.

Chautauqua County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Chautauqua County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 10

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hyssop needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,282 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Chautauqua County, NY

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 22

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 Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua County, NY?

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

What planting zone is Chautauqua County, NY?

Chautauqua County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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