When to Plant Chamomile in Santa Clara County, CA
This month in Santa Clara County, California
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Santa Clara County, California this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Bring in the chamomile
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- 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.
Santa Clara County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 287 days.
At an elevation of 455 feet, Santa Clara County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chamomile successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Santa Clara County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.8
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 Santa Clara County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Santa Clara 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
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 Sep 04 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 08.
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 | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 1.7" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 1.7" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 1.7" | 1.1" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 1.7" | 0.3" | 1.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 1.7" | 0.1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 1.7" | 0.1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 1.7" | 0.6" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 1.7" | 1.4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 1.7" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Santa Clara 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 — Santa Clara County, CA
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 22 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 12 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Direct Sow | January 29 | Jan 29 – Feb 19 |
| Harvest | April 16 | Apr 16 – Jun 25 |
| Fall Sowing | October 8 | Oct 8 – Oct 22 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.4"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9b
📆 Growing Season
287 days in Santa Clara County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Santa Clara County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after February 19 in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County, CA?
Santa Clara County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Santa Clara County, CA?
Santa Clara County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 3.
Your Santa Clara County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Santa Clara 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.