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When to Plant Marjoram in Ellis County, OK

Ellis County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Ellis County, Oklahoma

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Ellis County, Oklahoma this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.9 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • 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.

Ellis County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 968 feet, Ellis County receives approximately 28.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Marjoram during the growing season.

Ellis County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Ellis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18

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 Ellis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) overlaps with Marjoram's range (6.5–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Ellis County is excellent for Marjoram — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Marjoram.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (4.0%). Annual compost additions will help Marjoram.

How to Plant Marjoram

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

Succession Planting Marjoram

3
successive plantings in your 189-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 1.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ellis County). 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 ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,165 GDD Excellent fit

Marjoram Planting Timeline — Ellis County, OK

Marjoram Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

189 days in Ellis County

Growing Tips for Marjoram in Ellis County

Direct sow Marjoram outdoors after April 16 in Ellis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Ellis County, OK?

Ellis County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Marjoram planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ellis County, OK?

Ellis County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

🌱

Your Ellis County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Ellis County (Zone 7a). 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 Ellis County, OK. 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.