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When to Plant Chamomile in Breckinridge County, KY

Breckinridge County, Kentucky Zone 7a April

April in the garden — Breckinridge County, Kentucky

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

Avg. last frost April 4
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13 hrs
Coming up in May — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: chamomile
  • First harvests: chamomile

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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.

Breckinridge County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 3,500 feet, Breckinridge County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Breckinridge County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Breckinridge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 21

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 Breckinridge County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.

How to Plant Chamomile

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

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

4
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 25.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Breckinridge 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 needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,727 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Breckinridge County, KY

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest May 30 May 30 – Aug 8
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 – Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

213 days in Breckinridge County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Breckinridge County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after April 04 in Breckinridge 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chamomile in Breckinridge County, KY?

Breckinridge County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Breckinridge County, KY?

Breckinridge County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Your Breckinridge County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Breckinridge County (Zone 7a). 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 Breckinridge County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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