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When to Plant Yarrow in Nye County, NV

Nye County, Nevada Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Nye County, Nevada

A quick May briefing for Nye County, Nevada gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 6
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Time to transplant yarrow

    Your last frost (May 6) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

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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.

Nye County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 3,654 feet, Nye County receives approximately 9.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Yarrow may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Yarrow will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Yarrow successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Nye County, NV (Zone 8b) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Nye County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.9-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17

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 Nye County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.9–8.9) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Nye County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Yarrow will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Yarrow.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 678 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0.3" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Nye 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 ~2,389 GDD — county provides 3,662 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Nye County, NV

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Harvest August 12 Aug 12 – Oct 28

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Nye County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Nye County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 06 in Nye County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Nye County dries quickly — mulch Yarrow with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Nye County, provide afternoon shade for Yarrow and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Yarrow in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Nye County receives only 10" of rain annually. Yarrow needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Nye County, NV?

Nye County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nye County, NV?

Nye County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Your Nye County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Nye County (Zone 8b). 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 Nye County, NV. 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.