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When to Plant Yarrow in Pope 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.

Pope County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 1,120 feet, Pope County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Pope County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Pope County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 13

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 ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,595 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Pope County, IL

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 29

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

197 days

Growing Tips for Pope 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 Pope County, IL?

Pope County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pope County, IL?

Pope County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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