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When to plant Rue in Faribault County County,

Plant Rue in Faribault County County during the brief May 7–May 21 window. With 157 frost-free days, fall plantings can't mature before October 4.

When to Plant Rue in Faribault County, MN

Faribault County, Minnesota Zone 5a June

Top priorities for Faribault County, Minnesota gardeners in June

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Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 4
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: rue

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Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Faribault County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 506 feet, Faribault County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Rue to ensure they mature before fall.

Faribault County, MN (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4
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Faribault County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Rue Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1

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 Faribault County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.1) is within Rue's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Rue will thrive.

How to Plant Rue

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

Succession Planting Rue

2
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 06 to harvest before frost.

Rue Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 Rue

Rue 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 Rue Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Faribault County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Rue 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.

Rue needs ~860 GDD — county provides 1,687 GDD Excellent fit

Rue Planting Timeline — Faribault County, MN

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Faribault County

Growing Tips for Rue in Faribault County

Direct sow Rue outdoors after April 30 in Faribault County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Faribault County, MN?

Faribault County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Faribault County, MN?

Faribault County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 4.

When should I plant Rue in Faribault County, ?

In Faribault County, , plant Rue after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Faribault County, for Rue?

Faribault County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Rue grows reliably in zones 4a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Rue grow in Faribault County's climate?

Yes — Rue grows well in Faribault County's temperate climate. Faribault County averages a 157-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 4.

🌱

Your Faribault County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Faribault County (Zone 5a). 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 Faribault County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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