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When to Plant Hyssop in Weld County, CO

Weld County, Colorado Zone 5b May

This month in Weld County, Colorado

Here's what deserves your attention in Weld County, Colorado this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 2
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 39°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant hyssop

    Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.

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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.

Weld County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 6,992 feet, Weld County receives approximately 18.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hyssop successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Weld County, CO (Zone 5b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7
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Weld County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 6

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 Weld County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.1) overlaps with Hyssop's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Weld County is excellent for Hyssop — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Hyssop.

How to Plant Hyssop

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

Succession Planting Hyssop

2
successive plantings in your 158-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Hyssop

Hyssop 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 Hyssop Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Hyssop 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.

Hyssop needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,409 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline — Weld County, CO

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

158 days in Weld County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Weld County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 02 in Weld County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Weld County receives only 19" of rain annually. Hyssop needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hyssop in Weld County, CO?

Weld County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Weld County, CO?

Weld County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Weld County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Weld County (Zone 5b). 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 Weld County, CO. 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.