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When to Plant Epazote in Skagit County, WA

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.

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Skagit County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season.

Skagit County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Skagit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Epazote needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Epazote Planting Timeline โ€” Skagit County, WA

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

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

208 days

Growing Tips for Skagit 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 Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County is in Zone 8a 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 Skagit County, WA?

Skagit County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Skagit 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 Skagit County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.