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When to Plant Feverfew in Franklin County, FL

Feverfew is a bushy perennial herb with small daisy-like flowers and aromatic leaves. It has been used traditionally for headache relief and is a cheerful garden plant.

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 487 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 59.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Feverfew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Feverfew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Feverfew root diseases.

Franklin County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 8

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 Franklin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“6.0) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Franklin County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Feverfew will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Feverfew.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Feverfew.

How to Plant Feverfew

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

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Feverfew

Feverfew needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Feverfew Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 2.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 7.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 9.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 10" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Nov in Franklin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Feverfew 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Feverfew needs ~2,310 GDD — county provides 6,094 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, FL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

276 days in Franklin County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Franklin County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after February 25 in Franklin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Franklin County dries quickly โ€” mulch Feverfew with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in Franklin County, provide afternoon shade for Feverfew and water deeply in the morning.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors or direct sow on the soil surface. Deadhead regularly to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Feverfew in Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, FL?

Franklin County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Franklin County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Franklin County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.