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When to Plant Hyssop in Bennington County, VT

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.

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,063 feet, Bennington County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season.

Bennington County, VT (Zone 5a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Bennington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 13

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 ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,226 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline โ€” Bennington County, VT

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 2
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 29

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 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 5a

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Bennington 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 Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bennington County, VT?

Bennington County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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