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When to Plant Chamomile in Bell County, KY

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.

Bell County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 2,589 feet, Bell County receives approximately 46.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.

Bell County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Bell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,115 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Bell County, KY

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Bell 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 Bell County, KY?

Bell County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bell County, KY?

Bell County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bell County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bell County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.