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When to Plant Chamomile in Lee County, AL

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.

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. 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 461 feet, Lee County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chamomile, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Lee County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 17
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 (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,033 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, AL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
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 โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

5.6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Lee County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chamomile in Lee County, AL?

Lee County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, AL?

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lee County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lee County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.