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When to Plant Chamomile in DeSoto County, FL

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.

DeSoto County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 322 days.

At an elevation of 214 feet, DeSoto County receives approximately 53.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Chamomile may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Chamomile will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

DeSoto County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
322 days
Last Spring Frost February 1
322 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

DeSoto County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 15 🍅 Harvest: Mar 19 – May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Jan 25 🍅 Harvest: Mar 29 – Jun 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jul 6

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,734 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 7,348 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” DeSoto County, FL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 4 Jan 4 โ€“ Jan 18
Transplant Outdoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Direct Sow January 11 Jan 11 โ€“ Feb 1
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 โ€“ Nov 8
Harvest March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Jun 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
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 9b

Growing Season

322 days

Growing Tips for DeSoto 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 DeSoto County, FL?

DeSoto County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 1. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is DeSoto County, FL?

DeSoto County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 1 and first fall frost is December 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help DeSoto County gardeners in Zone 9b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 DeSoto County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.