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When to Plant Marjoram in Evangeline Parish, LA

Evangeline Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

This month in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana

May is a pivotal month for Evangeline Parish, Louisiana gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost February 22
Avg. first frost November 28
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Pick marjoram

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: marjoram

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Sweet marjoram is a tender perennial herb with a delicate, sweet oregano-like flavor. It is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking and pairs well with meats and vegetables.

Evangeline Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 279 days.

At an elevation of 203 feet, Evangeline Parish receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Marjoram during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Marjoram will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Marjoram root diseases.

Evangeline Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
279 days
Last Spring Frost February 22
279 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28
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Evangeline Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30

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.

Soil Compatibility in Evangeline Parish

How your county's soil matches Marjoram's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.3) is more acidic than Marjoram prefers (6.5–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Evangeline Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Marjoram will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Marjoram.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Marjoram.

How to Plant Marjoram

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Marjoram

5
successive plantings in your 279-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.3″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Marjoram

Marjoram needs approximately 0.3 inches of water per week (1.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Marjoram Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 1.3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Evangeline Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Marjoram Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Marjoram needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 4,900 GDD Excellent fit

Marjoram Planting Timeline — Evangeline Parish, LA

Marjoram Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15
Harvest May 3 May 3 – Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6.5–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

279 days in Evangeline Parish

Growing Tips for Marjoram in Evangeline Parish

Direct sow Marjoram outdoors after February 22 in Evangeline Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Evangeline Parish dries quickly — mulch Marjoram with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With 60" of annual rainfall in Evangeline Parish, ensure good drainage for Marjoram — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Harvest stems just as flower buds appear for peak flavor. In cold climates, grow as an annual or bring containers indoors.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Marjoram in Evangeline Parish, LA?

Evangeline Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 22. Plan your Marjoram planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Evangeline Parish, LA?

Evangeline Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 22 and first fall frost is November 28.

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Your Evangeline Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Evangeline Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Evangeline Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.