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When to Plant Hyssop in Piute County, UT

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.

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 7,866 feet, Piute County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hyssop successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Piute County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Piute County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 29

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 Piute County

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

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Hyssop.

How to Plant Hyssop

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Hyssop

2
successive plantings in your 140-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 142 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€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.2" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.1" 1.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.2" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Piute 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 ~1,100 GDD — county provides 1,925 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Piute County, UT

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Oct 1

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 Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

140 days in Piute County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Piute County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 14 in Piute County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Piute County receives only 14" 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 Piute County, UT?

Piute County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Piute County, UT?

Piute County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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