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When to Plant Yarrow in Del Norte County, CA

Del Norte County, California Zone 9b May

May to-do list for Del Norte County, California

Each item below is timed to Del Norte County, California's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs

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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.

Del Norte County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 72 feet, Del Norte County receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Yarrow will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Del Norte County, CA (Zone 9b) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Del Norte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26

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 Del Norte County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.0) is within Yarrow's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Del Norte 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 moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 8.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 9.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 1.1" 1.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.3" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 7.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Del Norte 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 ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,986 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Del Norte County, CA

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

238 days in Del Norte County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Del Norte County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after March 27 in Del Norte County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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

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 Del Norte County, CA?

Del Norte County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Del Norte County, CA?

Del Norte County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Del Norte County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Del Norte County (Zone 9b). 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 Del Norte County, CA. 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.