When to Plant Chamomile in Butte County, CA
Top priorities for Butte County, California gardeners in May
Your garden in Butte County, California is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Time to start chamomile inside
You're about 27 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: chamomile
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.
Butte County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 204 days.
At an elevation of 144 feet, Butte County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.
Butte County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Butte County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Butte 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 (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 15.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 9.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 9.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 6.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 1.7" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 1.7" | 1.1" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 1.7" | 0.2" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 1.7" | 0.4" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 1.7" | 2.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 1.7" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 7.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Butte 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 Planting Timeline — Butte County, CA
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Direct Sow | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 20 |
| Harvest | June 15 | Jun 15 – Aug 24 |
| Fall Sowing | September 15 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| 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 9b
📆 Growing Season
204 days in Butte County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Butte County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after April 20 in Butte 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 →
Chamomile in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chamomile in Butte County, CA?
Butte County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Butte County, CA?
Butte County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is November 10.
Your Butte County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Butte County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.