Blog

When to Plant Yarrow in Pend Oreille County, WA

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.

Pend Oreille County, Washington is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 3,807 feet, Pend Oreille County receives approximately 13.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Yarrow during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Yarrow successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pend Oreille County, WA (Zone 5b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 23

Pend Oreille County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 22

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 Pend Oreille County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.6) overlaps with Yarrow's range (5.5โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Yarrow.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) 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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 293 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Yarrow

Yarrow needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Yarrow Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 2.2" 0.8" 1.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0.2" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.2" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.6" 1.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Pend Oreille County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Yarrow Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Yarrow needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Good fit

Yarrow Planting Timeline โ€” Pend Oreille County, WA

Yarrow Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Nov 1

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 Harvest
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

136 days in Pend Oreille County

Growing Tips for Yarrow in Pend Oreille County

Direct sow Yarrow outdoors after May 10 in Pend Oreille 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.

Pend Oreille County receives only 13" of rain annually. Yarrow needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Yarrow in Pend Oreille County, WA?

Pend Oreille County is in Zone 5b 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 Pend Oreille County, WA?

Pend Oreille County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pend Oreille County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Pend Oreille County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.