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When to Plant Feverfew in Lake County, OR

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, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and the first fall frost is September 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 1,236 feet, Lake County receives approximately 12.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, 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, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 16
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 7

Lake County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Nov 24
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Sep 22 – Dec 8
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 3 🍅 Harvest: Oct 2 – Dec 18

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.

Soil Compatibility in Lake County

How your county's soil matches Feverfew's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.4) overlaps with Feverfew's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lake County is excellent for Feverfew โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) โ€” Feverfew will thrive.

How to Plant Feverfew

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Feverfew

Feverfew needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Feverfew Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 0.2" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 0.2" 2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0.5" 1.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Lake County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Feverfew Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Feverfew needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 1,328 GDD May not mature

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Lake County, OR

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Dec 8

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 Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

83 days in Lake County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Lake County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after June 16 in Lake County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Lake County is tight for Feverfew (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Feverfew in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Lake County receives only 13" of rain annually. Feverfew needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Feverfew in Lake County, OR?

Lake County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 16. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lake County, OR?

Lake County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 16 and first fall frost is September 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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