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When to plant Chamomile in Lee County County,

Lee County County's spring Chamomile window runs March 13 through April 3. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 25 to September 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chamomile in Lee County, AL

Lee County, Alabama Zone 8b June

What to do in June

Your garden in Lee County, Alabama is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for chamomile

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: chamomile

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Chamomile is a daisy-like herb famous for its calming, apple-scented tea. German chamomile is an annual while Roman chamomile is a perennial ground cover.

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 461 feet, Lee County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chamomile, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Lee County, AL (Zone 8b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3
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Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Chamomile Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 21

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 Lee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.5) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Lee County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Chamomile.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.

How to Plant Chamomile

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

4
successive plantings in your 221-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.

Chamomile Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Chamomile

Chamomile needs approximately 0.4 inches of water per week (1.7" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chamomile Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chamomile 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Chamomile needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,033 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Lee County, AL

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 22 May 22 – Jul 31
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.4"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

221 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Lee County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 27 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lee County's clay soil (31% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Chamomile. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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

General growing tips

Direct sow on the soil surface as seeds need light. Harvest flowers when petals begin to curl back. Chamomile self-sows freely and improves the health of nearby plants.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chamomile in Lee County, AL?

Lee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, AL?

Lee County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 3.

When should I plant Chamomile in Lee County, ?

In Lee County, , plant Chamomile after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lee County, for Chamomile?

Lee County sits in USDA Zone 8b. Chamomile grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chamomile grow in Lee County's climate?

Yes — Chamomile grows well in Lee County's temperate climate. Lee County averages a 221-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 3.

🌱

Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Lee County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.