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When to Plant Horehound in McPherson County, NE

Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.

McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 884 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Horehound to ensure they mature before fall.

McPherson County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

McPherson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Horehound Planting Timeline — McPherson County, NE

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 – Sep 20

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

75–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

159 days in McPherson County

Growing Tips for McPherson County

Direct sow or start from divisions. Thrives in poor, dry soil. Harvest stems just before flowering. Deadhead to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Very drought-tolerant once established.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horehound in McPherson County, NE?

McPherson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McPherson County, NE?

McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.

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Your McPherson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for McPherson County (Zone 5b). 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 McPherson County, NE. 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.