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When to Plant Yarrow in Boone County, IL

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.

Boone County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 512 feet, Boone County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Yarrow to ensure they mature before fall.

Boone County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Boone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1

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
1.0″/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 ~1,286 GDD — county provides 2,156 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Boone County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Boone 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 Boone County, IL?

Boone County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boone County, IL?

Boone County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Boone 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 Boone County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.