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When to Plant Feverfew in Lee 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.

Lee County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,010 feet, Lee County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall.

Lee County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 27

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
0.8″/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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Oct 14

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 5a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Lee 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 Lee County, IL?

Lee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, IL?

Lee County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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