Blog

When to Plant Hyssop in Roseau County, MN

Roseau County, Minnesota Zone 3b May

May in the garden — Roseau County, Minnesota

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Roseau County, Minnesota this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 22
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Transplant hyssop outside

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Roseau County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 124 days.

At an elevation of 655 feet, Roseau County receives approximately 32 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Hyssop to ensure they mature before fall.

Roseau County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
124 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
124 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Roseau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 15

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 Roseau County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–7.2) overlaps with Hyssop's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Hyssop will thrive.

How to Plant Hyssop

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

Plant 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 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Roseau County). 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 needs ~740 GDD — county provides 1,147 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline — Roseau County, MN

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 – Jun 11
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 3b

📆 Growing Season

124 days in Roseau County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Roseau County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 21 in Roseau County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

  • Radish

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hyssop in Roseau County, MN?

Roseau County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Roseau County, MN?

Roseau County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 22.

🌱

Your Roseau County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Roseau 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Roseau County, MN. 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.