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When to Plant Hyssop in Burleigh County, ND

Burleigh County, North Dakota Zone 4a May

Your May planting checklist for Burleigh County, North Dakota

Your garden in Burleigh County, North Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Move hyssop from tray to bed

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

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Hyssop is a semi-evergreen perennial herb with intense blue flower spikes that attract bees and butterflies. It has a minty, slightly bitter flavor used in liqueurs and teas.

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Burleigh County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Hyssop to ensure they mature before fall.

Burleigh County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Burleigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 13

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 Burleigh County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.3) is within Hyssop's preferred range (6.0–8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Hyssop.

How to Plant Hyssop

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

Succession Planting Hyssop

2
successive plantings in your 138-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 Hyssop

Hyssop 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 Hyssop Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.8" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Hyssop 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.

Hyssop needs ~920 GDD — county provides 1,587 GDD Excellent fit

Hyssop Planting Timeline — Burleigh County, ND

Hyssop Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Sep 29

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 Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4a

📆 Growing Season

138 days in Burleigh County

Growing Tips for Hyssop in Burleigh County

Direct sow Hyssop outdoors after May 12 in Burleigh County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Burleigh County receives only 23" of rain annually. Hyssop needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. Prune back in early spring to encourage bushy growth. Hyssop is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in poor soil.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Radish

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hyssop in Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Hyssop planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burleigh County, ND?

Burleigh County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Burleigh County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burleigh County (Zone 4a). 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 Burleigh 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.