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When to Plant Chamomile in King 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.

King County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 258 feet, King County receives approximately 37.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.

King County, WA (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

King County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23

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 428 gal / 100 sq ft
Chamomile needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline โ€” King County, WA

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 21 Aug 21 โ€“ Sep 4
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

206 days

Growing Tips for King 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 King County, WA?

King County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is King County, WA?

King County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 30.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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