Blog

When to Plant Oregano in Duval County, FL

Oregano is a robust perennial herb essential to Italian and Greek cuisine. Its pungent, savory leaves intensify in flavor when dried.

Duval County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 24 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 337 feet, Duval County receives approximately 56.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Oregano may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Oregano will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Oregano root diseases.

Duval County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 24
278 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Duval County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8

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
Oregano needs ~1,988 GDD — county provides 7,393 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Duval County, FL

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jul 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April โ€”
May Harvest
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

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

278 days

Growing Tips for Duval County

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Harvest just before flowering for strongest flavor. Cut plants back to a few inches in spring to encourage vigorous new growth.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Oregano in Duval County, FL?

Duval County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 24. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Duval County, FL?

Duval County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 24 and first fall frost is November 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Duval County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Duval County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.