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When to Plant Yarrow in Wheeler County, NE

Wheeler County, Nebraska Zone 5a May

This month in Wheeler County, Nebraska

Here's what deserves your attention in Wheeler County, Nebraska this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 6
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Move yarrow from tray to bed

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

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Yarrow is a drought-tolerant perennial herb with feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters in white, yellow, pink, or red. It attracts beneficial insects and is used in herbal medicine.

Wheeler County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Wheeler County receives approximately 28.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Yarrow to ensure they mature before fall.

Wheeler County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6
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Wheeler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – 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 Wheeler County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.5) overlaps with Yarrow's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wheeler County is excellent for Yarrow — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Yarrow.

How to Plant Yarrow

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wheeler 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 ~1,129 GDD — county provides 1,709 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Wheeler County, NE

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Oct 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

159 days in Wheeler County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Wheeler County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after April 30 in Wheeler 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

Direct sow or start from divisions. Yarrow thrives in poor soil and is very drought-tolerant. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Divide clumps every 3 years.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in Wheeler County, NE?

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

What planting zone is Wheeler County, NE?

Wheeler County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

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Your Wheeler County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, NE. 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.