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When to plant Yarrow in Adams County County,

For Yarrow in Adams County County, the safe spring window opens around April 14 and closes around May 5. Last expected frost is April 14, first fall frost October 20, giving a 189-day growing season.

When to Plant Yarrow in Adams County, IL

Adams County, Illinois Zone 6a June

June in the garden — Adams County, Illinois

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Start yarrow indoors

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Collect yarrow at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Get ahead of July
  • 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.

Adams County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,390 feet, Adams County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Adams County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20
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Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Yarrow Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🌸 Bloom: Jun 25 – Oct 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 30 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: May 5 🌸 Bloom: Jul 14 – Nov 3

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 Adams County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Yarrow's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Yarrow will thrive.

How to Plant Yarrow

18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Yarrow

3
successive plantings in your 189-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 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

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Adams 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 ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,598 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Adams County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Bloom June 30 Jun 30 – Oct 20

· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

189 days in Adams County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Adams County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after April 14 in Adams 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.

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 Adams County, IL?

Adams County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, IL?

Adams County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Yarrow in Adams County County, ?

In Adams County County, , plant Yarrow after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Adams County County, for Yarrow?

Adams County 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 Adams County County's climate?

Yes — Yarrow grows well in Adams County County's temperate climate. Adams County County averages a 189-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Adams County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Adams 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 Adams County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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