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When to Plant Yarrow in Hamilton 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.

Hamilton County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 524 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Hamilton County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 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
0.8″/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 ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,447 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Oct 1

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 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 6a

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, IL?

Hamilton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, IL?

Hamilton County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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