Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in La Paz County, AZ

La Paz County, Arizona Zone 9a May

Top priorities for La Paz County, Arizona gardeners in May

Welcome to May in Zone 9a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost February 2
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Basket week: yarrow

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • First harvests: yarrow

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial herb with feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red. It attracts beneficial insects and is used in herbal medicine.

La Paz County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 2 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 307 days.

At an elevation of 4,875 feet, La Paz County receives approximately 17.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 105°F, so Yarrow may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Yarrow will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Yarrow successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

La Paz County, AZ (Zone 9a) Year-round
307 days
Last Spring Frost February 2
307 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6
Share this guide:

La Paz County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 21

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 La Paz County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.3) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in La Paz County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Yarrow will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Yarrow.

How to Plant Yarrow

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 864 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Yarrow

Yarrow 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 Yarrow Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 2.2" 0.6" 1.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.7" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in La Paz County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Yarrow 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Yarrow needs ~3,019 GDD — county provides 8,855 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — La Paz County, AZ

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

307 days in La Paz County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in La Paz County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after February 02 in La Paz County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in La Paz County dries quickly — mulch Yarrow with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 105°F in La Paz County, provide afternoon shade for Yarrow and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Yarrow in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

La Paz County receives only 17" of rain annually. Yarrow needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow or start from divisions. Yarrow thrives in poor soil and is very drought-tolerant. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in La Paz County, AZ?

La Paz County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 2. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is La Paz County, AZ?

La Paz County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 2 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your La Paz County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for La Paz County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for La Paz County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.