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When to Plant Yarrow in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 509 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Jefferson County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Oct 11

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.

Soil Compatibility in Jefferson County

How your county's soil matches Yarrow's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1โ€“7.1) overlaps with Yarrow's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Jefferson County is excellent for Yarrow โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Yarrow will thrive.

How to Plant Yarrow

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

194 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Jefferson County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after April 09 in Jefferson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Yarrow in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Jefferson County, IL?

Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, IL?

Jefferson County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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