Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in Gallatin 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.

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 1,391 feet, Gallatin County receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Gallatin County, IL (Zone 6b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Gallatin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9

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
0.8″/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 ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,846 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Gallatin County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 28

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Gallatin 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 Gallatin County, IL?

Gallatin County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gallatin County, IL?

Gallatin County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gallatin County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Gallatin County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.