Blog

When to Plant Chamomile in Campbell County, SD

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.

Campbell County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 830 feet, Campbell County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall.

Campbell County, SD (Zone 3b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
142 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Campbell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 251 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~750 GDD — county provides 1,420 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Campbell County, SD

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Sep 7

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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 3b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Campbell 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 Campbell County, SD?

Campbell County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Campbell County, SD?

Campbell County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Campbell County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Campbell County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.