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When to Plant Feverfew in Madison 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.

Madison County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 963 feet, Madison County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Madison County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 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 Madison County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.9) overlaps with Feverfew's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) 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
0.8″/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 ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,249 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Oct 3

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 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

194 days in Madison County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Madison County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 11 in Madison 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 Madison County, IL?

Madison County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, IL?

Madison County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Madison County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.