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When to Plant Feverfew in Lea County, NM

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.

Lea County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 4,857 feet, Lea County receives approximately 17.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Feverfew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Feverfew successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lea County, NM (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Lea County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 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
0.3″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 753 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Feverfew needs ~2,074 GDD — county provides 4,325 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Lea County, NM

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 24

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

219 days

Growing Tips for Lea 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 Lea County, NM?

Lea County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lea County, NM?

Lea County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lea County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lea County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.