Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in Bowman County, ND

Bowman County, North Dakota Zone 4b May

This month in Bowman County, North Dakota

Your Bowman County, North Dakota garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 24
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Move yarrow into the garden

    Frost risk is low now in Bowman County, North Dakota. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

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.

Bowman County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 753 feet, Bowman County receives approximately 25.8 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.

Bowman County, ND (Zone 4b) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Bowman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 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 Bowman County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Yarrow.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Yarrow will thrive.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bowman 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 1,419 GDD Good fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Bowman County, ND

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 – Oct 16

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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

132 days in Bowman County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Bowman County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 15 in Bowman County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 132.0-day growing season in Bowman County is tight for Yarrow (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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 Bowman County, ND?

Bowman County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bowman County, ND?

Bowman County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 24.

🌱

Your Bowman County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bowman County (Zone 4b). 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 Bowman County, ND. 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.