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When to plant Yarrow in Boundary County, ID

Boundary County sits in cold Zone 6a. Plant Yarrow May 10–May 31 for the single annual harvest; the September 22 first frost closes the window.

When to Plant Yarrow in Boundary County, ID

Boundary County, Idaho Zone 6a July

July in Boundary County, Idaho — your action list

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Boundary County, Idaho.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost September 22
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: yarrow

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Harvest yarrow as they ripen

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: yarrow

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Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) is a tough, drought-tolerant native perennial with aromatic finely-divided foliage and broad flat-topped flower clusters that serve as a landing platform for hundreds of beneficial insect species. Available in white (the species type) and a wide range of cultivars spanning yellow, gold, pink, salmon, and deep red. Spreads by rhizome to form ground-covering colonies; blooms from late spring through midsummer with reblooming into fall if deadheaded. Exceptional in hot, dry sites where other perennials fail.

Boundary County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 5,105 feet, Boundary County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Boundary County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Boundary County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Yarrow Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 8 🌸 Bloom: Jul 17 – Nov 6
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 17 🌸 Bloom: Jul 26 – Nov 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: Jun 11 🌸 Bloom: Aug 20 – Dec 10

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 Boundary County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Yarrow.

How to Plant Yarrow

18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Yarrow

2
successive plantings in your 135-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 24 to harvest before frost.

Yarrow Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Boundary 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 ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,058 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Boundary County, ID

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 – May 31
Bloom July 26 Jul 26 – Nov 15

· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October Bloom
November Bloom
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Boundary County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Boundary County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 10 in Boundary County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Boundary County receives only 21" of rain annually. Yarrow needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; seeds need light for germination — press onto soil surface, do not cover. Direct sow after last frost or divide established clumps in spring or fall. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil — rich soil and high fertility cause floppy stems and reduce flower count. Avoid overwatering; excellent drought tolerance once established. Deadhead spent clusters to encourage rebloom. Divide every 2–3 years to prevent center die-out and control spread. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily; first-year plants may produce limited flowers. Dried flowers retain color well for arrangements.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in Boundary County, ID?

Boundary County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boundary County, ID?

Boundary County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 22.

When should I plant Yarrow in Boundary County, ID?

In Boundary County, ID, plant Yarrow after the last frost (around May 10) and before the first frost (around September 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Boundary County, ID for Yarrow?

Boundary County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Yarrow grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Yarrow grow in Boundary County's climate?

Yes — Yarrow grows well in Boundary County's temperate climate. Boundary County averages a 135-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 10 and first frost around September 22.

🌱

Your Boundary County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Boundary County (Zone 6a). 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 Boundary County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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