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When to Plant Feverfew in Kent County, RI

Kent County, Rhode Island Zone 7a May

Your May planting checklist for Kent County, Rhode Island

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

Avg. last frost April 23
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs

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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.

Kent County, Rhode Island is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 776 feet, Kent County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Feverfew during the growing season.

Kent County, RI (Zone 7a) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Kent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
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 Kent County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.2) is more acidic than Feverfew prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). 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
0.9″/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 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Kent 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 ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,285 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Kent County, RI

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 – May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 – Oct 15

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

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 7a

📆 Growing Season

180 days in Kent County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Kent County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 23 in Kent 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 Kent County, RI?

Kent County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kent County, RI?

Kent County, Rhode Island is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Kent County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kent County (Zone 7a). 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 Kent County, RI. 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.