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When to Plant Chamomile in Burnet County, TX

Burnet County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May planting checklist for Burnet County, Texas

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Burnet County, Texas.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Pick chamomile

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: chamomile

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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.

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Burnet County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chamomile, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.

Burnet County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20
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Burnet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 14

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 Burnet County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.6) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Burnet County is workable for Chamomile. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.

How to Plant Chamomile

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chamomile

5
successive plantings in your 259-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 11.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.4″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.7" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.7" 9.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.7" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.7" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.7" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.7" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.7" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.7" 2.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Burnet 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 needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Chamomile Planting Timeline — Burnet County, TX

Chamomile Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 13
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jul 10
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December
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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 8b

📆 Growing Season

259 days in Burnet County

Growing Tips for Chamomile in Burnet County

Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after March 06 in Burnet County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Burnet County's clay soil (38% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Chamomile. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Chamomile in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

With 61" of annual rainfall in Burnet County, ensure good drainage for Chamomile — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chamomile in Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Burnet County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Burnet County (Zone 8b). 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 Burnet County, TX. 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.