Blog

When to Plant Feverfew in Orange County, NY

Orange County, New York Zone 6b May

This month in Orange County, New York

Here's what deserves your attention in Orange County, New York this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Orange County, New York is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Orange County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Orange County, NY (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2
Share this guide:

Orange County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Nov 4

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 Orange County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–6.7) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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
1.0″/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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Orange 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 ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Orange County, NY

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
Share this guide:

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 6b

📆 Growing Season

206 days in Orange County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Orange County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 10 in Orange 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 Orange County, NY?

Orange County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Orange County, NY?

Orange County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is November 2.

🌱

Your Orange County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Orange County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Orange County, NY. 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.