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When to Plant Feverfew in Rock Island 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.

Rock Island County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 1,172 feet, Rock Island County receives approximately 35.8 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.

Rock Island County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Rock Island 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 (9 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 25

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 ~1,286 GDD — county provides 2,290 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Rock Island County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Oct 7

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

187 days

Growing Tips for Rock Island 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 Rock Island County, IL?

Rock Island County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rock Island County, IL?

Rock Island County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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