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When to plant Yarrow in Kittson County, MN

In Kittson County, Yarrow is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 14–June 4 for an 60–90-day harvest, finishing well before the September 30 first frost.

When to Plant Yarrow in Kittson County, MN

Kittson County, Minnesota Zone 3b July

July in the garden — Kittson County, Minnesota

A quick July briefing for Kittson County, Minnesota gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 15.6 hrs
  1. Start yarrow under lights

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Kittson County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Yarrow to ensure they mature before fall.

Perennial Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Kittson County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Kittson 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 28 Transplant: May 23 🌸 Bloom: Aug 15 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 28 🌸 Bloom: Aug 20 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Jun 13 🌸 Bloom: Sep 5 – Nov 7

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 Kittson 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 Kittson County is excellent for Yarrow — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Yarrow will thrive.

How to Plant Yarrow

18"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Yarrow

2
successive plantings in your 139-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.

Yarrow Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Kittson 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 ~638 GDD — county provides 1,181 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Kittson County, MN

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 – Jun 4
Bloom August 20 Aug 20 – Oct 22

· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

📆 Growing Season

139 days in Kittson County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Kittson County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 14 in Kittson 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 Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kittson County, MN?

Kittson County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 30.

When should I plant Yarrow in Kittson County, MN?

In Kittson County, MN, plant Yarrow after the last frost (around May 14) and before the first frost (around September 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kittson County, MN for Yarrow?

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

Can Yarrow grow in Kittson County's climate?

Yes — Yarrow grows well in Kittson County's temperate climate. Kittson County averages a 139-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 14 and first frost around September 30.

🌱

Your Kittson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kittson County (Zone 3b). 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 Kittson County, MN. 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.