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When to Plant Feverfew in Douglas County, IL

Feverfew is a bushy perennial herb with small daisy-like flowers and aromatic leaves. It has been used traditionally for headache relief and is a cheerful garden plant.

Douglas County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 1,036 feet, Douglas County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Douglas County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Douglas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 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.

Soil Compatibility in Douglas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.2) overlaps with Feverfew's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Feverfew will thrive.

How to Plant Feverfew

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Feverfew needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,836 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Douglas County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

186 days in Douglas County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Douglas County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 14 in Douglas County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow on the soil surface. Deadhead regularly to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Feverfew in Douglas County, IL?

Douglas County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Douglas County, IL?

Douglas County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Douglas County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Douglas County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.