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When to Plant Bee Balm in Barron County, WI

Bee balm is a native perennial herb with shaggy, scarlet flower heads that attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Its leaves make an aromatic tea reminiscent of Earl Grey.

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.

At an elevation of 1,256 feet, Barron County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Bee Balm to ensure they mature before fall.

Barron County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
131 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
131 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Barron County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Bee Balm Planting Timeline — Barron County, WI

Bee Balm Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 – Jun 7
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 – Oct 18

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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

131 days in Barron County

Growing Tips for Barron County

Start from seed, divisions, or transplants. Provide good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadhead spent flowers for 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 Bee Balm in Barron County, WI?

Barron County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Bee Balm planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barron County, WI?

Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.

🌱

Your Barron County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Barron 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.

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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 Barron County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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