Blog

When to Plant Chamomile in Kent County, DE

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.

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 128 feet, Kent County receives approximately 47.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.

Kent County, DE (Zone 7a) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 132 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,456 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Kent County, DE

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

216 days

Growing Tips for Kent 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 Kent County, DE?

Kent County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kent County, DE?

Kent County, Delaware is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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