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When to Plant Chamomile in Clallam County, WA

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.

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Clallam County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Clallam County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Clallam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Clallam County

How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.8) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clallam County is excellent for Chamomile โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Chamomile will thrive.

How to Plant Chamomile

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

3
successive plantings in your 186-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~919 GDD — county provides 2,278 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” Clallam County, WA

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 27

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.4"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

186 days in Clallam County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Clallam County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after April 23 in Clallam County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Chamomile in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clallam County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Clallam County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.