When to Plant Hyssop in Acadia Parish, LA
May in the garden — Acadia Parish, Louisiana
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Basket week: hyssop
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: hyssop
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.
Acadia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.
At an elevation of 259 feet, Acadia Parish receives approximately 61.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Hyssop may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Hyssop will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Hyssop root diseases.
Acadia Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Acadia Parish
How your county's soil matches Hyssop's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.0–6.5) is more acidic than Hyssop prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Acadia Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Hyssop will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Hyssop.
How to Plant Hyssop
Succession Planting Hyssop
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 2.2" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 6.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 2.2" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Acadia Parish). 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 Planting Timeline — Acadia Parish, LA
Hyssop Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | February 19 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Harvest | April 30 | Apr 30 – Jul 2 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Transplant Outdoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
297 days in Acadia Parish
Growing Tips for Hyssop in Acadia Parish
Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after February 12 in Acadia Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Acadia Parish dries quickly — mulch Hyssop with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 103°F in Acadia Parish, provide afternoon shade for Hyssop and water deeply in the morning.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Hyssop in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Hyssop in Acadia Parish, LA?
Acadia Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 12. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Acadia Parish, LA?
Acadia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and first fall frost is December 6.
Your Acadia Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Acadia Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.