Blog

When to Plant Epazote in Okmulgee County, OK

Epazote is a pungent Mexican herb traditionally cooked with black beans to reduce their gas-causing properties. It has a strong, unique flavor that is an acquired taste.

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 213 days.

At an elevation of 657 feet, Okmulgee County receives approximately 28.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season.

Okmulgee County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
213 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
213 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Okmulgee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12

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 Okmulgee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.6) is within Epazote's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Okmulgee County is excellent for Epazote โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Epazote will thrive.

How to Plant Epazote

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Epazote

5
successive plantings in your 213-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Epazote

Epazote 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 Epazote Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.7" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 2.2" 1" 1.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Okmulgee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Epazote 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.

Epazote needs ~958 GDD — county provides 3,887 GDD Excellent fit

Epazote Planting Timeline โ€” Okmulgee County, OK

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
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

45โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

213 days in Okmulgee County

Growing Tips for Epazote in Okmulgee County

Direct sow Epazote outdoors after April 03 in Okmulgee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 213.0-day season in Okmulgee County allows multiple plantings of Epazote. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Epazote grows easily and self-sows aggressively. Use sparingly in cooking as the flavor is very strong. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Epazote in Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Okmulgee County, OK?

Okmulgee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Okmulgee County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.