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When to Plant Feverfew in Lucas County, IA

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.

Lucas County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Lucas County receives approximately 41.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Lucas County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Lucas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Feverfew needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Lucas County, IA

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Oct 13

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 Lucas 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 Lucas County, IA?

Lucas County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lucas County, IA?

Lucas County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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