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When to Plant Oregano in Bond County, IL

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

Bond County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 587 feet, Bond County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Oregano during the growing season.

Bond County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Bond County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 15

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 Bond County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.0) is within Oregano's preferred range (6.0โ€“8.0).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Oregano.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) โ€” Oregano will thrive.

How to Plant Oregano

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

Succession Planting Oregano

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Oregano needs ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Bond County, IL

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 31

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 โ€”
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 6โ€“8 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

191 days in Bond County

Growing Tips for Oregano in Bond County

Direct sow Oregano outdoors after April 13 in Bond County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

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 Bond County, IL?

Bond County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bond County, IL?

Bond County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bond County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Bond County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.