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When to Plant Marjoram in Marion County, KS

Sweet marjoram is a tender perennial herb with a delicate, sweet oregano-like flavor. It is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking and pairs well with meats and vegetables.

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 898 feet, Marion County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Marjoram during the growing season.

Marion County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13

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 Marion County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.5) overlaps with Marjoram's range (6.5โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) โ€” Marjoram will thrive.

How to Plant Marjoram

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

Succession Planting Marjoram

3
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Marjoram

Marjoram needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Marjoram Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 3.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 3.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 3.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 2.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 1.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Marjoram 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.

Marjoram needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Marjoram Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, KS

Marjoram Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.3"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6.5โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

193 days in Marion County

Growing Tips for Marjoram in Marion County

Direct sow Marjoram outdoors after April 14 in Marion County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Harvest stems just as flower buds appear for peak flavor. In cold climates, grow as an annual or bring containers indoors.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Marjoram in Marion County, KS?

Marion County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Marjoram planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, KS?

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Marion County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.