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When to Plant Feverfew in McPherson County, KS

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.

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 850 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

McPherson County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

McPherson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 19

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 McPherson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.6) overlaps with Feverfew's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Feverfew.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 110 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Feverfew

Feverfew needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Feverfew Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in McPherson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Feverfew Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Feverfew needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” McPherson County, KS

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

191 days in McPherson County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in McPherson County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 15 in McPherson 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Feverfew in McPherson County, KS?

McPherson County is in Zone 6a 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 McPherson County, KS?

McPherson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McPherson County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for McPherson County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.