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When to Plant Feverfew in Otsego 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.

Otsego County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 909 feet, Otsego County receives approximately 44.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Otsego County, NY (Zone 5a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Otsego County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 1 – Nov 17

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 ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Otsego County, NY

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Nov 1

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 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

155 days

Growing Tips for Otsego 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 Otsego County, NY?

Otsego County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Otsego County, NY?

Otsego County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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