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When to Plant Epazote in Jackson County, OR

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.

Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 422 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season.

Jackson County, OR (Zone 8a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Epazote needs ~840 GDD — county provides 2,496 GDD Excellent fit

Epazote Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, OR

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Jackson County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Epazote in Jackson County, OR?

Jackson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, OR?

Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Jackson County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.