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When to Plant Yarrow in Gilliam County, OR

Gilliam County, Oregon Zone 7b May

May to-do list for Gilliam County, Oregon

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

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Transplant yarrow outside

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

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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.

Gilliam County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 965 feet, Gilliam County receives approximately 22.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Gilliam County, OR (Zone 7b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15
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Gilliam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 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 Gilliam County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Yarrow's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Gilliam 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 (4.5%) — 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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 163 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 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0.3" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Gilliam 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 ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,378 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline — Gilliam County, OR

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Oct 17

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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Gilliam County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Gilliam County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after April 25 in Gilliam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Gilliam County receives only 22" 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 Gilliam County, OR?

Gilliam County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gilliam County, OR?

Gilliam County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 15.

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Your Gilliam County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gilliam County (Zone 7b). 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 Gilliam County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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