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When to Plant Oregano in Stark County, OH

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

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 1,118 feet, Stark County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Oregano to ensure they mature before fall.

Stark County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Stark 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 (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 9

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 ~975 GDD — county provides 2,223 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline โ€” Stark County, OH

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 17

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 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

171 days

Growing Tips for Stark 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 Stark County, OH?

Stark County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stark County, OH?

Stark County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stark 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 Stark County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.