When to Plant Chamomile in Hennepin County, MN
Your May game plan for Hennepin County, Minnesota
Here's what deserves your attention in Hennepin County, Minnesota this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: chamomile
Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Hennepin County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.
At an elevation of 694 feet, Hennepin County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall.
Hennepin County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.1-7.2
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 Hennepin County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.1–7.2) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hennepin County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chamomile.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — 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 11 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 1.7" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 1.7" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 1.7" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hennepin 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 — Hennepin County, MN
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 16 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Direct Sow | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Harvest | June 18 | Jun 18 – Aug 27 |
| Fall Sowing | July 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing 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 5a
📆 Growing Season
169 days in Hennepin County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Hennepin County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after April 23 in Hennepin 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 Hennepin County, MN?
Hennepin County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hennepin County, MN?
Hennepin County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your Hennepin County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hennepin County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.