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When to Plant Feverfew in McLean 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.

McLean County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,024 feet, McLean County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

McLean County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

McLean County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

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 (8 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Feverfew needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” McLean County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Oct 10

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

183 days

Growing Tips for McLean 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 McLean County, IL?

McLean County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McLean County, IL?

McLean County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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