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When to Plant Chamomile in St. Johns 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.

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 296 days.

At an elevation of 57 feet, St. Johns County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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.

St. Johns County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
296 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
296 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

St. Johns County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 28 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 22 – May 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 6 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 15

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 880 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chamomile needs ~1,819 GDD — county provides 7,202 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” St. Johns County, FL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 โ€“ Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 9
Fall Sowing October 7 Oct 7 โ€“ Oct 21
Harvest April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Jun 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

296 days

Growing Tips for St. Johns 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 St. Johns County, FL?

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

What planting zone is St. Johns County, FL?

St. Johns County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Johns County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 St. Johns County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.