Blog

When to Plant Feverfew in Cortland County, NY

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.

Cortland County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 729 feet, Cortland County receives approximately 44.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Cortland County, NY (Zone 5a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cortland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Nov 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 16

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Feverfew needs ~1,601 GDD — county provides 2,333 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Cortland County, NY

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Nov 2

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 Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August Harvest
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

153 days

Growing Tips for Cortland 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 Cortland County, NY?

Cortland County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cortland County, NY?

Cortland County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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