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When to Plant Oregano in Clare County, MI

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

Clare County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 1,150 feet, Clare County receives approximately 41.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Oregano during the growing season.

Clare County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Clare County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 18

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Oregano needs ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,165 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Clare County, MI

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Clare 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 Clare County, MI?

Clare County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clare County, MI?

Clare County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clare County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Clare County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.