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When to Plant Oregano in Madison County, OH

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

Madison County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Madison County receives approximately 35.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Oregano during the growing season.

Madison County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Madison 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 (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 26

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
Drought risk

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

Oregano needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,624 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, OH

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 9

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, OH?

Madison County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, OH?

Madison County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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