Blog

When to Plant Feverfew in Fulton 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.

Fulton County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,162 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall.

Fulton County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 24

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Feverfew needs ~1,286 GDD — county provides 2,192 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Oct 12

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Fulton County

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 Fulton County, IL?

Fulton County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, IL?

Fulton County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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