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When to Plant Feverfew in Gray County, TX

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.

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 2,319 feet, Gray County receives approximately 46.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Feverfew may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Feverfew will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Gray County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 18

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 Gray County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4โ€“8.9) is more alkaline than Feverfew prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Gray County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Feverfew 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 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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 2.2" 8.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 9.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Gray County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~2,468 GDD — county provides 4,700 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline โ€” Gray County, TX

Feverfew Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

200 days in Gray County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Gray County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 10 in Gray County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Gray County dries quickly โ€” mulch Feverfew with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 98ยฐF in Gray County, provide afternoon shade for Feverfew and water deeply in the morning.

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 Gray County, TX?

Gray County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, TX?

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gray County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Gray County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.