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When to Plant Feverfew in Sullivan County, NH

Sullivan County, New Hampshire Zone 5b May

Your May planting checklist for Sullivan County, New Hampshire

Your Sullivan County, New Hampshire garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 12
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Plant out feverfew

    Your last frost (May 12) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

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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.

Sullivan County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 495 feet, Sullivan County receives approximately 39.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall.

Sullivan County, NH (Zone 5b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7
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Sullivan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Oct 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Nov 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Nov 16

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 Sullivan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.6) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). 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
1.1″/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 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sullivan County). 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 ~1,365 GDD — county provides 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Sullivan County, NH

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 – Nov 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December
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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 5b

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Sullivan County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Sullivan County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after May 12 in Sullivan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Sullivan County, NH?

Sullivan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sullivan County, NH?

Sullivan County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Sullivan County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sullivan 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.

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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 Sullivan County, NH. 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.