When to Plant Chamomile in Bonneville County, ID
Your May gardening checklist
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Get chamomile in the ground
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Plant chamomile from seed, right in the garden
These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- Starting indoors: 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.
Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 116 days.
At an elevation of 7,993 feet, Bonneville County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.
Bonneville County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-8
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 Bonneville County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Bonneville County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 11.
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 1.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 2.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 1.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 1.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bonneville 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 — Bonneville County, ID
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Sep 29 |
| Fall Sowing | July 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 5b
📆 Growing Season
116 days in Bonneville County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Bonneville County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 26 in Bonneville 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 Bonneville County, ID?
Bonneville County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bonneville County, ID?
Bonneville County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 19.
Your Bonneville County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bonneville County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.