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When to plant Feverfew in Marion County County,

In Marion County County, Feverfew is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant April 17–May 1 for an 120-day harvest, finishing well before the October 19 first frost.

When to Plant Feverfew in Marion County, IL

Marion County, Illinois Zone 6b June

This month in Marion County, Illinois

June is a pivotal month for Marion County, Illinois gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: feverfew

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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.

Marion County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 964 feet, Marion County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Marion County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Feverfew Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (19 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 12

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 Marion County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.0) is within Feverfew's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Feverfew.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Feverfew will thrive.

How to Plant Feverfew

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

Feverfew 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Marion 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 ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,216 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Marion County, IL

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

192 days in Marion County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Marion County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 10 in Marion County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Marion County, IL?

Marion County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, IL?

Marion County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Feverfew in Marion County, ?

In Marion County, , plant Feverfew after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Marion County, for Feverfew?

Marion County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Feverfew grows reliably in zones 5a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Feverfew grow in Marion County's climate?

Yes — Feverfew grows well in Marion County's temperate climate. Marion County averages a 192-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 19.

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Your Marion County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marion County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Marion County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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