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When to Plant Yarrow in Lake County, SD

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.

Lake County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 766 feet, Lake County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Yarrow to ensure they mature before fall.

Lake County, SD (Zone 4b) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17

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
0.7″/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 ~1,129 GDD — county provides 1,612 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, SD

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 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 โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

150 days

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, SD?

Lake County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, SD?

Lake County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Lake County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.