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When to Plant Chamomile in Gulf 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.

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 313 feet, Gulf County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. 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.

Gulf County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Gulf County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 21 Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,272 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 5,263 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Gulf County, FL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 โ€“ Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Mar 4
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 โ€“ Oct 3
Harvest April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Gulf 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 Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gulf County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Gulf County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.