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When to Plant Yarrow in Boulder County, CO

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.

Boulder County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 7,657 feet, Boulder County receives approximately 22.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Boulder County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Boulder County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 17 🍅 Harvest: Sep 16 – Dec 2

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Yarrow needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 1,957 GDD Good fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Boulder County, CO

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Nov 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Boulder 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 Boulder County, CO?

Boulder County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boulder County, CO?

Boulder County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Boulder County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Boulder County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.