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When to Plant Horehound in Banff-Jasper, AB

Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.

Banff-Jasper, Alberta is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 140 days.

At an elevation of 4,537 feet, Banff-Jasper receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly dark brown chernozem soil. Summer highs average 70°F, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

Banff-Jasper, AB (Zone 4a) Short season
140 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
140 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Banff-Jasper Soil Profile

Soil Type

Dark Brown Chernozem

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Horehound Planting Timeline — Banff-Jasper, AB

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 – Jun 7
Harvest August 9 Aug 9 – Oct 4

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

75–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

140 days in Banff-Jasper

Growing Tips for Banff-Jasper

Direct sow or start from divisions. Thrives in poor, dry soil. Harvest stems just before flowering. Deadhead to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Very drought-tolerant once established.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horehound in Banff-Jasper, AB?

Banff-Jasper is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Banff-Jasper, AB?

Banff-Jasper, Alberta is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 4.

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Your Banff-Jasper Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Banff-Jasper (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Banff-Jasper, AB. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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