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When to Plant Yarrow in Ness County, KS

Ness County, Kansas Zone 6a May

What to do in May

May is a pivotal month for Ness County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 21
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs

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Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial herb with feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red. It attracts beneficial insects and is used in herbal medicine.

Ness County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 668 feet, Ness County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Ness County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Ness County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26

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 Ness County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Yarrow.

How to Plant Yarrow

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
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 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ness 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 ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Ness County, KS

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

178 days in Ness County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Ness County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after April 21 in Ness 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

Direct sow or start from divisions. Yarrow thrives in poor soil and is very drought-tolerant. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in Ness County, KS?

Ness County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ness County, KS?

Ness County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Your Ness County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Ness 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 Ness County, KS. 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.