When to Plant Horehound in San Joaquin County, CA
Your May planting checklist for San Joaquin County, California
Welcome to May in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Basket week: horehound
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: horehound
Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.
San Joaquin County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.
At an elevation of 220 feet, San Joaquin County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Horehound successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
San Joaquin County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 San Joaquin County
How your county's soil matches Horehound's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.8) is within Horehound's preferred range (6.0–8.0).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in San Joaquin County is excellent for Horehound — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Horehound.
How to Plant Horehound
Succession Planting Horehound
Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Horehound
Horehound 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 | Horehound Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 2.2" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 1.2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 0.4" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.1" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 0" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 0.2" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 0.7" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 2.2" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in San Joaquin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Horehound 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.
Horehound Planting Timeline — San Joaquin County, CA
Horehound Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | February 11 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Harvest | April 29 | Apr 29 – Jun 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
75–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9b
📆 Growing Season
305 days in San Joaquin County
Growing Tips for Horehound in San Joaquin County
Direct sow Horehound outdoors after February 04 in San Joaquin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
San Joaquin County receives only 15" of rain annually. Horehound needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
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 →
Horehound in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Horehound in San Joaquin County, CA?
San Joaquin County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is San Joaquin County, CA?
San Joaquin County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 6.
Your San Joaquin County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for San Joaquin 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.