When to Plant Chamomile in Ferry County, WA
May to-do list for Ferry County, Washington
Each item below is timed to Ferry County, Washington's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Time to transplant chamomile
Bring a watering can to the bed. Each transplant gets a drink the moment it's in the ground, not ten minutes later.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: 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.
Ferry County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.
At an elevation of 3,990 feet, Ferry County receives approximately 18.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chamomile successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Ferry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.4
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 Ferry County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.4) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Ferry County is excellent for Chamomile — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chamomile.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Chamomile will thrive.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 26 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 16.
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 | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 1.2" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 1.7" | 0.7" | 1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 0.3" | 1.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 1.7" | 0.4" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 1.7" | 0.7" | 1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Ferry 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 — Ferry County, WA
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 17 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Sep 13 |
| Fall Sowing | July 16 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
137 days in Ferry County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Ferry County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 10 in Ferry 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.
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 Ferry County, WA?
Ferry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Chamomile planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Ferry County, WA?
Ferry County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 24.
Your Ferry County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Ferry 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.