When to Plant Chamomile in Pennington County, MN
Pennington County, Minnesota gardeners: here's your May plan
May is a pivotal month for Pennington County, Minnesota gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Plant out chamomile
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Sow chamomile where they'll grow
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
Looking ahead to June
- Starting indoors: 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.
Pennington County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.
At an elevation of 854 feet, Pennington County receives approximately 35.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall.
Pennington County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.9-7.1
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 Pennington County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–7.1) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Pennington County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Chamomile will thrive.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Pennington 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 — Pennington County, MN
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Sep 6 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 3b
📆 Growing Season
143 days in Pennington County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Pennington County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 10 in Pennington 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 Pennington County, MN?
Pennington County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Pennington County, MN?
Pennington County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Pennington County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Pennington County (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.