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When to Plant Yarrow in Humboldt County, CA

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.

Humboldt County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 274 days.

At an elevation of 148 feet, Humboldt County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Yarrow will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Humboldt County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
274 days
Last Spring Frost February 27
274 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Humboldt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 24

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 398 gal / 100 sq ft
Yarrow needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 4,193 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Humboldt County, CA

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

274 days

Growing Tips for Humboldt County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in Humboldt County, CA?

Humboldt County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Humboldt County, CA?

Humboldt County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Humboldt County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Humboldt County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.