When to Plant Chamomile in Garden County, NE
Your May gardening checklist
May is a pivotal month for Garden County, Nebraska gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Set out chamomile seedlings
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.
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.
Garden County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.
At an elevation of 966 feet, Garden County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall.
Garden County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-7.8
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 Garden County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–7.8) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Garden County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.
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 06 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 26.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 2.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 1.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 2.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 2.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 1.7" | 2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Garden 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 — Garden County, NE
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 4 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Harvest | July 6 | Jul 6 – Sep 14 |
| Fall Sowing | July 26 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
146 days in Garden County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Garden County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 11 in Garden 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 Garden County, NE?
Garden County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Garden County, NE?
Garden County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.
Your Garden County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Garden County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.