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When to Plant Chamomile in Hampden County, MA

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.

Hampden County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 474 feet, Hampden County receives approximately 47.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.

Hampden County, MA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Hampden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 20

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 2,720 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Hampden County, MA

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Hampden 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 Hampden County, MA?

Hampden County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hampden County, MA?

Hampden County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hampden County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hampden County, MA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.