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When to Plant Feverfew in Orleans 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.

Orleans County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 684 feet, Orleans County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Orleans County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Orleans County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 21
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Nov 5

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Feverfew needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,566 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Orleans County, NY

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Oct 21

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 โ€”
July โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

177 days

Growing Tips for Orleans 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 Orleans County, NY?

Orleans County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Orleans County, NY?

Orleans County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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