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When to Plant Marjoram in Benton County, WA

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.

Benton County, Washington is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 2,633 feet, Benton County receives approximately 22.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Marjoram during the growing season.

Benton County, WA (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Benton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 7

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,001 gal / 100 sq ft
Marjoram needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,312 GDD Excellent fit

Marjoram Planting Timeline โ€” Benton County, WA

Marjoram Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 21

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Benton 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 Benton County, WA?

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

What planting zone is Benton County, WA?

Benton County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Benton County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Benton County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.