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When to Plant Yarrow in Hancock 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.

Hancock County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 758 feet, Hancock County receives approximately 37.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Hancock County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Hancock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 21

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
Yarrow needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,851 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Hancock County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Oct 6

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

187 days

Growing Tips for Hancock 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 Hancock County, IL?

Hancock County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hancock County, IL?

Hancock County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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