Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in Bladen County, NC

Bladen County, North Carolina Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Bladen County, North Carolina gardeners in May

Each item below is timed to Bladen County, North Carolina's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 8
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: yarrow

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Bladen County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 861 feet, Bladen County receives approximately 51.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Yarrow may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Yarrow, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Yarrow root diseases.

Bladen County, NC (Zone 8b) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8
Share this guide:

Bladen County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Oct 4

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 Bladen County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.4) is within Yarrow's preferred range (5.5–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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
0.9″/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 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bladen 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 ~2,310 GDD — county provides 5,060 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Bladen County, NC

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December
Share this guide:

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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

230 days in Bladen County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Bladen County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after March 23 in Bladen County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bladen County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Yarrow. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Bladen 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.

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 Bladen County, NC?

Bladen County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bladen County, NC?

Bladen County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 8.

🌱

Your Bladen County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bladen 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.

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 Bladen County, NC. 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.