When to Plant Yarrow in USDA Zone 6b
Your June planting checklist for Zone 6b
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 6b.
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Sow yarrow in trays indoors
These need a head start before your last frost (April 18). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: yarrow
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) is a tough, drought-tolerant native perennial with aromatic finely-divided foliage and broad flat-topped flower clusters that serve as a landing platform for hundreds of beneficial insect species. Available in white (the species type) and a wide range of cultivars spanning yellow, gold, pink, salmon, and deep red. Spreads by rhizome to form ground-covering colonies; blooms from late spring through midsummer with reblooming into fall if deadheaded. Exceptional in hot, dry sites where other perennials fail.
In Zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Yarrow Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Yarrow planting schedule for that location.
Yarrow Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 30 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Direct Sow | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 24 |
| Bloom | June 19 | Jun 19 – Oct 16 |
· 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
-5°F to 0°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
205 days (Zone 6b average)
Planting Specifications
| Plant Spacing | 18 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Yarrow in Zone 6b
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Yarrow in Zone 6b
Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost; seeds need light for germination — press onto soil surface, do not cover. Direct sow after last frost or divide established clumps in spring or fall. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil — rich soil and high fertility cause floppy stems and reduce flower count. Avoid overwatering; excellent drought tolerance once established. Deadhead spent clusters to encourage rebloom. Divide every 2–3 years to prevent center die-out and control spread. Year 2+ plants bloom most heavily; first-year plants may produce limited flowers. Dried flowers retain color well for arrangements.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Yarrow Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Yarrow in Other Zones
Yarrow by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Yarrow in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Yarrow planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around January 30. Direct sow outdoors around April 3. Transplant seedlings around April 10.
Can Yarrow grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Yarrow can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Yarrow (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Yarrow in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Yarrow from June 19 – October 16. Yarrow takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Yarrow?
Good companion plants for Yarrow include Echinacea, Black Eyed Susan, Lavender, Salvia. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 6b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 6b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.