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When to plant Chamomile in Ashdown, AR

Ashdown's climate puts the Chamomile spring window between March 6 and March 27. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from September 3 to September 17 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chamomile in Ashdown, AR

Little River County, Arkansas Zone 8b June

June in the garden — Little River County, Arkansas

Your Little River County, Arkansas garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for June and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Collect chamomile at their peak

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

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • 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.

Ashdown, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,477 feet, Little River County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Ashdown, AR (Zone 8b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Ashdown Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Chamomile Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13

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 Ashdown

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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 237-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.

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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Little River 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 ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,969 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Ashdown, AR

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 27
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jul 24
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

237 days in Little River County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Ashdown

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 20 in Little River 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 →

When should I plant Chamomile in Ashdown, AR?

In Ashdown, AR, plant Chamomile after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ashdown, AR for Chamomile?

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

Can Chamomile grow in Ashdown's climate?

Yes — Chamomile grows well in Ashdown's temperate climate. Ashdown averages a 237-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Little River County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Little River 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 Little River County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.