Blog

When to Plant Chamomile in Lowndes County, GA

Lowndes County, Georgia Zone 9a May

This month in Lowndes County, Georgia

Each item below is timed to Lowndes County, Georgia's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 3
Avg. first frost November 26
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Harvest chamomile as they ripen

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: chamomile

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 268 days.

At an elevation of 396 feet, Lowndes County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Chamomile may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chamomile, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Lowndes County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
268 days
Last Spring Frost March 3
268 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26
Share this guide:

Lowndes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30

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 Lowndes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.5) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.

How to Plant Chamomile

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

5
successive plantings in your 268-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 01.

Plant 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 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lowndes 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 ~1,706 GDD — county provides 6,097 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Lowndes County, GA

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Direct Sow February 10 Feb 10 – Mar 3
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 – Jul 7
Fall Sowing October 1 Oct 1 – Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November
December
Share this guide:

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 9a

📆 Growing Season

268 days in Lowndes County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Lowndes County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 03 in Lowndes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lowndes County's clay soil (27% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Chamomile. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Lowndes County, provide afternoon shade for Chamomile and water deeply in the morning.

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

With 57" of annual rainfall in Lowndes County, ensure good drainage for Chamomile — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

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 Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 3. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lowndes County, GA?

Lowndes County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 3 and first fall frost is November 26.

🌱

Your Lowndes County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lowndes County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Lowndes County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.