When to Plant Horehound in Concho County, TX
Concho County, Texas gardeners: here's your July plan
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this July, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Bring in the horehound
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
Before August arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: horehound
Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.
Concho County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.
At an elevation of 3,848 feet, Concho County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Horehound root diseases.
Concho County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-7.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Horehound Planting Risk Windows
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 Concho County
How your county's soil matches Horehound's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–7.4) is within Horehound's preferred range (6.0–8.0).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Concho County is excellent for Horehound — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Horehound.
How to Plant Horehound
Succession Planting Horehound
Sow every 8.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.
Horehound Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 8.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 9.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 6.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Concho 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 Planting Timeline — Concho County, TX
Horehound Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Harvest | June 17 | Jun 17 – Aug 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
75–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
232 days in Concho County
Growing Tips for Horehound in Concho County
Direct sow Horehound outdoors after March 25 in Concho County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 →
Horehound in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Horehound in Concho County, TX?
Concho County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Concho County, TX?
Concho County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 12.
Your Concho County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Concho County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.