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When to Plant Chamomile in Washington 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.

Washington County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 196 feet, Washington County receives approximately 50.6 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.

Washington County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Washington 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 (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31

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 1,117 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 5,915 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, FL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jul 9

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 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 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, FL?

Washington County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, FL?

Washington County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington 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 Washington County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.