When to Plant Chamomile in Champaign County, IL
What to do in May
Welcome to May in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Get chamomile seeds going inside
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Champaign County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.
At an elevation of 1,215 feet, Champaign County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season.
Champaign County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-6.8
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 Champaign County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Champaign County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Chamomile will thrive.
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 Jul 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 1.7" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 1.7" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 1.7" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Champaign 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 — Champaign County, IL
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Direct Sow | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 21 |
| Harvest | June 9 | Jun 9 – Aug 18 |
| Fall Sowing | August 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
188 days in Champaign County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Champaign County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after April 14 in Champaign 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 Champaign County, IL?
Champaign County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Champaign County, IL?
Champaign County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 19.
Your Champaign County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Champaign County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.