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When to Plant Marjoram in Multnomah County, OR

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.

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 357 feet, Multnomah County receives approximately 35.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Marjoram to ensure they mature before fall.

Multnomah County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Multnomah County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 26

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 926 gal / 100 sq ft
Marjoram needs ~975 GDD — county provides 2,548 GDD Excellent fit

Marjoram Planting Timeline โ€” Multnomah County, OR

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

196 days

Growing Tips for Multnomah County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Marjoram in Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County is in Zone 8b 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 Multnomah County, OR?

Multnomah County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Multnomah County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Multnomah County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.