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When to Plant Yarrow in Washington County, RI

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.

Washington County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 519 feet, Washington County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season.

Washington County, RI (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Nov 5

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Yarrow needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,488 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, RI

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Oct 15

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 6b

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, RI?

Washington County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, RI?

Washington County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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