Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in Potter 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.

Potter County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 966 feet, Potter County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Yarrow to ensure they mature before fall.

Potter County, SD (Zone 4a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Potter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – 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
0.6″/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 ~1,286 GDD — county provides 1,788 GDD Excellent fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Potter County, SD

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Oct 11

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 4a

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Potter 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 Potter County, SD?

Potter County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Yarrow planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Potter County, SD?

Potter County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Potter County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Potter County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.