Blog

When to Plant Feverfew in Lake County, MT

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.

Lake County, Montana is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 104 days.

At an elevation of 6,938 feet, Lake County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Feverfew successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lake County, MT (Zone 5a) Short season
104 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
104 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Nov 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 28 🍅 Harvest: Sep 27 – Dec 13

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Feverfew needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 1,430 GDD Tight fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, MT

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jun 21
Harvest September 6 Sep 6 โ€“ Nov 22

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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

104 days

Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, MT?

Lake County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, MT?

Lake County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Lake County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.