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When to Plant Oregano in Union County, IL

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

Union County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,017 feet, Union County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Oregano during the growing season.

Union County, IL (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Oregano needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 3,104 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, IL

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 1
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 28

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

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 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Union 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 Union County, IL?

Union County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Union County, IL?

Union County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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