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When to Plant Horehound in Pershing County, NV

Pershing County, Nevada Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Pershing County, Nevada

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Pershing County, Nevada.

Avg. last frost May 23
Avg. first frost September 23
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Transplant horehound outside

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

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 4,541 feet, Pershing County receives approximately 16.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°F, so Horehound may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Horehound will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Horehound successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pershing County, NV (Zone 6b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 23
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Pershing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Nov 3

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 Pershing County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.3) overlaps with Horehound's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Horehound.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Horehound.

How to Plant Horehound

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 127 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Horehound

Horehound 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 Horehound Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0.4" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Pershing County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Horehound 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.

Horehound needs ~2,062 GDD — county provides 3,075 GDD Excellent fit

Horehound Planting Timeline — Pershing County, NV

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 – Jun 13
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 – Oct 10

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

75–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Pershing County

Growing Tips for Horehound in Pershing County

Direct sow Horehound outdoors after May 23 in Pershing County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 100°F in Pershing County, provide afternoon shade for Horehound and water deeply in the morning.

Pershing County receives only 16" of rain annually. Horehound needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 23. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pershing County, NV?

Pershing County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 23 and first fall frost is September 23.

🌱

Your Pershing County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Pershing County (Zone 6b). 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 Pershing 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.