When to Plant Chamomile in Lavaca County, TX
Your May game plan for Lavaca County, Texas
Each item below is timed to Lavaca County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Harvest chamomile as they ripen
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: 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.
Lavaca County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.
At an elevation of 254 feet, Lavaca County receives approximately 60.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Chamomile during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chamomile root diseases.
Lavaca County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.8
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 Lavaca County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) overlaps with Chamomile's range (5.6–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Lavaca County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chamomile.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Chamomile.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 06.
Plant Water Budget
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 | 1.7" | 1.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 1.7" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 1.7" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 1.7" | 8.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 10.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 1.7" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 1.7" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 1.7" | 1.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Lavaca 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 — Lavaca County, TX
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 29 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 19 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Direct Sow | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 26 |
| Harvest | April 23 | Apr 23 – Jul 2 |
| Fall Sowing | October 6 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
278 days in Lavaca County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Lavaca County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after February 26 in Lavaca County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Chamomile in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
With 60" of annual rainfall in Lavaca 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 →
Chamomile in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chamomile in Lavaca County, TX?
Lavaca County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lavaca County, TX?
Lavaca County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.
Your Lavaca County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lavaca County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.