When to Plant Chamomile in Taos County, NM
May to-do list for Taos County, New Mexico
Welcome to May in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Get chamomile in the ground
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
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Seed chamomile outdoors
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
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.
Taos County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.
At an elevation of 7,833 feet, Taos County receives approximately 17.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chamomile will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chamomile successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Taos County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7-8.5
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 Taos County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.0–8.5) is more alkaline than Chamomile prefers (5.6–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Taos County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chamomile will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 Jun 23 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 13.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 0.4" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 1.7" | 0.7" | 1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Taos 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 — Taos County, NM
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Sep 29 |
| Fall Sowing | July 13 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
118 days in Taos County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Taos County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 26 in Taos County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Taos County dries quickly — mulch Chamomile with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
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 Taos County, NM?
Taos County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Taos County, NM?
Taos County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 21.
Your Taos County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Taos County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.