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When to Plant Yarrow in Effingham 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.

Effingham County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 953 feet, Effingham County receives approximately 40.9 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.

Effingham County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Effingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 22

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
0.9″/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 2,254 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Effingham County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Oct 8

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 5b

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Effingham 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 Effingham County, IL?

Effingham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Effingham County, IL?

Effingham County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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