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When to Plant Chamomile in Hardee 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.

Hardee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 327 days.

At an elevation of 374 feet, Hardee County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, 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.

Hardee County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
327 days
Last Spring Frost January 27
327 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Hardee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 17 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (201 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 30 Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 27

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 1,560 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,988 GDD — county provides 8,692 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Hardee County, FL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 30 Dec 30 โ€“ Jan 13
Transplant Outdoors January 20 Jan 20 โ€“ Feb 3
Direct Sow January 6 Jan 6 โ€“ Jan 27
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 โ€“ Nov 8
Harvest March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Jun 2

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
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
December Start Indoors

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

327 days

Growing Tips for Hardee 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 Hardee County, FL?

Hardee County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 27. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardee County, FL?

Hardee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 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 Hardee County gardeners in Zone 9b 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 Hardee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.