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When to plant Chamomile in Hot Spring County, AR

The best window to plant Chamomile in Hot Spring County, is March 9–March 30, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits March 23; first frost November 9. A second sowing from August 31 to September 14 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chamomile in Hot Spring County, AR

Hot Spring County, Arkansas Zone 8a July

This month in Hot Spring County, Arkansas

July is a pivotal month for Hot Spring County, Arkansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 87°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Collect chamomile at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Hot Spring County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.

Hot Spring County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Hot Spring County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Chamomile Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19

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 Hot Spring County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.9) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 231-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.

Chamomile Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hot Spring 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 ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,696 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Hot Spring County, AR

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jul 27
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 – Sep 14

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
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

231 days in Hot Spring County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Hot Spring County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 23 in Hot Spring County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hot Spring County, AR?

Hot Spring County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 9.

When should I plant Chamomile in Hot Spring County, AR?

In Hot Spring County, AR, plant Chamomile after the last frost (around March 23) and before the first frost (around November 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hot Spring County, AR for Chamomile?

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

Can Chamomile grow in Hot Spring County's climate?

Yes — Chamomile grows well in Hot Spring County's temperate climate. Hot Spring County averages a 231-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 23 and first frost around November 9.

🌱

Your Hot Spring County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hot Spring County (Zone 8a). 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 Hot Spring County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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