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When to Plant Yarrow in Yuma 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.

Yuma County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 147 days.

At an elevation of 7,664 feet, Yuma 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.

Yuma County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
147 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
147 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Yuma County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Nov 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Nov 12

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

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

Yarrow needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Yuma County, CO

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Nov 2

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 5a

Growing Season

147 days

Growing Tips for Yuma 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 Yuma County, CO?

Yuma County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yuma County, CO?

Yuma County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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