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When to Plant Feverfew in Winnebago County, WI

Winnebago County, Wisconsin Zone 5b May

Your May game plan for Winnebago County, Wisconsin

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Winnebago County, Wisconsin this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 12
Soil temp (4") 55°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Transplant feverfew outside

    Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.

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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.

Winnebago County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 608 feet, Winnebago County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Feverfew to ensure they mature before fall.

Winnebago County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Winnebago County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Nov 6

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 Winnebago County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–6.7) is within Feverfew's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Winnebago County is excellent for Feverfew — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Feverfew will thrive.

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

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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Winnebago County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.

Feverfew needs ~1,208 GDD — county provides 1,897 GDD Excellent fit

Feverfew Planting Timeline — Winnebago County, WI

Feverfew Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 – May 21
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Oct 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Winnebago County

Growing Tips for Feverfew in Winnebago County

Direct sow Feverfew outdoors after April 30 in Winnebago County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Winnebago County, WI?

Winnebago County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Feverfew planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Winnebago County, WI?

Winnebago County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Your Winnebago County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Winnebago County (Zone 5b). 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 Winnebago County, WI. 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.