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When to Plant Feverfew in Lafourche Parish, LA

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Zone 9b May

May in the garden — Lafourche Parish, Louisiana

Your Lafourche Parish, Louisiana garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost January 27
Avg. first frost December 18
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Collect feverfew at their peak

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • 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.

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 and the first fall frost is December 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 306 feet, Lafourche Parish receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Feverfew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Feverfew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Feverfew root diseases.

Lafourche Parish, LA (Zone 9b) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 27
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 18

Lafourche Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 26

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 Lafourche Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.2) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Lafourche Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Feverfew will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Feverfew prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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
0.7″/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 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Lafourche Parish). 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 ~2,389 GDD — county provides 7,416 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Lafourche Parish, LA

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17
Harvest May 5 May 5 – Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Lafourche Parish

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Lafourche Parish

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after January 27 in Lafourche Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Lafourche Parish dries quickly — mulch Feverfew with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Lafourche Parish, provide afternoon shade for Feverfew and water deeply in the morning.

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 Lafourche Parish, LA?

Lafourche Parish is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 27. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lafourche Parish, LA?

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 and first fall frost is December 18.

🌱

Your Lafourche Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Lafourche Parish (Zone 9b). 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 Lafourche Parish, LA. 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.