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When to Plant Epazote in Mercer County, OH

Epazote is a pungent Mexican herb traditionally cooked with black beans to reduce their gas-causing properties. It has a strong, unique flavor that is an acquired taste.

Mercer County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 874 feet, Mercer County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Epazote to ensure they mature before fall.

Mercer County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Mercer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Epazote Planting Timeline — Mercer County, OH

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 – May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Mercer County

Growing Tips for Mercer County

Direct sow after last frost. Epazote grows easily and self-sows aggressively. Use sparingly in cooking as the flavor is very strong. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Epazote in Mercer County, OH?

Mercer County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mercer County, OH?

Mercer County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Your Mercer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Mercer County (Zone 6a). 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 Mercer County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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