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When to Plant Horehound in Hanover County, VA

Horehound is a woolly, drought-tolerant perennial herb traditionally used for cough remedies and candy. It has a distinctive bitter, menthol-like flavor.

Hanover County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 893 feet, Hanover County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Horehound during the growing season.

Hanover County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Hanover County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Horehound

Horehound needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Horehound Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Horehound Planting Timeline — Hanover County, VA

Horehound Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
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

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

75–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

210 days in Hanover County

Growing Tips for Hanover County

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Horehound in Hanover County, VA?

Hanover County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Horehound planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hanover County, VA?

Hanover County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Hanover County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hanover 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.

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 Hanover County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.