Blog

When to Plant Feverfew in Fremont County, ID

Fremont County, Idaho Zone 5a May

Top priorities for Fremont County, Idaho gardeners in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Fremont County, Idaho.

Avg. last frost June 12
Avg. first frost September 6
Soil temp (4") 41°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Transplants going out: feverfew

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fremont County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 86 days.

At an elevation of 5,282 feet, Fremont County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Feverfew successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fremont County, ID (Zone 5a) Very short season
86 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
86 growing days
First Fall Frost September 6

Fremont County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Nov 14
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Dec 4
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 4 🍅 Harvest: Oct 3 – Dec 19

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 Fremont County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) is more alkaline than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Fremont County is excellent for Feverfew — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help 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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1" 1.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Fremont County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Feverfew needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 1,118 GDD May not mature

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Fremont County, ID

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 3
Harvest September 18 Sep 18 – Dec 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

86 days in Fremont County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Fremont County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after June 12 in Fremont County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 86.0-day growing season in Fremont County is tight for Feverfew (90.0-120.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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

Fremont County receives only 13" of rain annually. Feverfew needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Fremont County, ID?

Fremont County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fremont County, ID?

Fremont County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 6.

🌱

Your Fremont County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fremont County (Zone 5a). 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 Fremont County, ID. 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.