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When to plant Chamomile in Driver, AR

Plant Chamomile in Driver after March 27; the prime window is March 13–April 3. A second sowing from August 25 to September 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chamomile in Driver, AR

Mississippi County, Arkansas Zone 8a July

Your July gardening checklist

A quick July briefing for Mississippi County, Arkansas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Basket week: chamomile

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Before August arrives, get these ready
  • Fall sowing: chamomile

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Chamomile is a daisy-like herb famous for its calming, apple-scented tea. German chamomile is an annual while Roman chamomile is a perennial ground cover.

Driver, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 1,005 feet, Mississippi County receives approximately 53.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Driver, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Driver Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Chamomile Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19

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 Driver

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.9) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Mississippi County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.

How to Plant Chamomile

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

4
successive plantings in your 221-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.

Chamomile Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Chamomile

Chamomile needs approximately 0.4 inches of water per week (1.7" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chamomile Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Mississippi County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chamomile 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Chamomile needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,701 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Driver, AR

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jul 31
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.4"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

221 days in Mississippi County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Driver

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 27 in Mississippi County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Chamomile in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow on the soil surface as seeds need light. Harvest flowers when petals begin to curl back. Chamomile self-sows freely and improves the health of nearby plants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Chamomile in Driver, AR?

In Driver, AR, plant Chamomile after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Driver, AR for Chamomile?

Driver sits in USDA Zone 8a. Chamomile grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chamomile grow in Driver's climate?

Yes — Chamomile grows well in Driver's temperate climate. Driver averages a 221-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 3.

🌱

Your Mississippi County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mississippi County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Mississippi County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.