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When to Plant Oregano in Cape May County, NJ

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

Cape May County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 928 feet, Cape May County receives approximately 44.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Oregano during the growing season.

Cape May County, NJ (Zone 7b) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Cape May County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Oregano needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,653 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Cape May County, NJ

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 8

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

227 days

Growing Tips for Cape May 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 Cape May County, NJ?

Cape May County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cape May County, NJ?

Cape May County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cape May County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Cape May County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.