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When to Plant Yarrow in Denver 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.

Denver 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 6,818 feet, Denver County receives approximately 20.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

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

Denver County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

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.

Soil Compatibility in Denver County

How your county's soil matches Yarrow's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Yarrow prefers (5.5โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Denver County is excellent for Yarrow โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Yarrow.

How to Plant Yarrow

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Yarrow needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 1,856 GDD Good fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Denver 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

135 days in Denver County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Denver County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 14 in Denver County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Yarrow in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Denver County receives only 20" of rain annually. Yarrow needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Denver County, CO?

Denver 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 Denver County, CO?

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

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Denver County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Denver County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.