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When to Plant Feverfew in Putnam County, IN

Putnam County, Indiana Zone 6a May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Putnam County, Indiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs

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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.

Putnam County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 670 feet, Putnam County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Putnam County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21
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Putnam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 25

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 Putnam County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.2) overlaps with Feverfew's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Putnam 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 (4.3%) — Feverfew will thrive.

How to Plant Feverfew

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Putnam 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 ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Putnam County, IN

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Oct 6

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Putnam County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Putnam County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 14 in Putnam 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 Putnam County, IN?

Putnam County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Putnam County, IN?

Putnam County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Your Putnam County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Putnam 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.

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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 Putnam County, IN. 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.