When to Plant Chamomile in Eau Claire County, WI
Your May planting checklist for Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
Your garden in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Move chamomile from tray to bed
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Plant chamomile from seed, right in the garden
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.
At an elevation of 674 feet, Eau Claire County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chamomile to ensure they mature before fall.
Eau Claire County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.3
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 Eau Claire County
How your county's soil matches Chamomile's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) is within Chamomile's preferred range (5.6–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Eau Claire 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 (4.2%) — Chamomile will thrive.
How to Plant Chamomile
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chamomile
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 11.
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 | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 1.7" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 1.7" | 5.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 1.7" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 1.7" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 1.7" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 1.7" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Eau Claire 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 — Eau Claire County, WI
Chamomile Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | July 5 | Jul 5 – Sep 13 |
| Fall Sowing | July 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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 4b
📆 Growing Season
146 days in Eau Claire County
Growing Tips for Chamomile in Eau Claire County
Direct sow Chamomile outdoors after May 10 in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County, WI?
Eau Claire County is in Zone 4b 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 Eau Claire County, WI?
Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 3.
Your Eau Claire County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Eau Claire County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.