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When to Plant Hyssop in Baker County, GA

Baker County, Georgia Zone 8b May

This month in Baker County, Georgia

Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 21
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Pick hyssop

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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

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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.

Baker County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.

At an elevation of 454 feet, Baker County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Hyssop during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Hyssop, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Baker County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
261 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
261 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21
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Baker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13

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 Baker County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) overlaps with Hyssop's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Baker 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

4
successive plantings in your 261-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Baker 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 ~1,520 GDD — county provides 4,959 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline — Baker County, GA

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Harvest May 21 May 21 – Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

261 days in Baker County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Baker County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after March 05 in Baker County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Baker County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Hyssop. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Baker County, GA?

Baker County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baker County, GA?

Baker County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 21.

🌱

Your Baker County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Baker County (Zone 8b). 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 Baker County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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