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When to Plant Vinca (Annual) in Marshall County, OK

Marshall County, Oklahoma Zone 8a June

June to-do list for Marshall County, Oklahoma

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Marshall County, Oklahoma.

Avg. last frost March 24
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: vinca (annual)

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

  2. Basket week: vinca (annual)

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

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: vinca (annual)

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Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus), also called Madagascar periwinkle, is one of the most heat- and drought-tolerant bedding plants available. Glossy foliage stays attractive all season while cheerful pinwheel blooms continue without deadheading. A top performer in hot, humid Southern summers where impatiens and begonias struggle. Self-cleaning; requires little maintenance once established.

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 520 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Vinca (Annual) during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant
Marshall County, OK (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12
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Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Vinca (Annual) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 31 Transplant: Mar 4 🌸 Bloom: May 13 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Mar 17 🌸 Bloom: May 26 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🌸 Bloom: Jun 16 – Nov 3

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 Marshall County

How your county's soil matches Vinca (Annual)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.8) overlaps with Vinca (Annual)'s range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Marshall County is excellent for Vinca (Annual) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Vinca (Annual).

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Vinca (Annual).

How to Plant Vinca (Annual)

0.1"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Vinca (Annual)

3
successive plantings in your 233-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 14 to harvest before frost.

Vinca (Annual) Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 554 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Vinca (Annual)

Vinca (Annual) needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Vinca (Annual) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 1.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0.9" 1.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Vinca (Annual) 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.

Vinca (Annual) needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 4,427 GDD Excellent fit

Vinca (Annual) Planting Timeline — Marshall County, OK

Vinca (Annual) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 – Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Bloom May 26 May 26 – Oct 13

Plant 0.1" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

233 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Vinca (Annual) in Marshall County

Direct sow Vinca (Annual) outdoors after March 24 in Marshall County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Marshall County receives only 24" of rain annually. Vinca (Annual) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination requires warm soil (75–80°F) and darkness. Do not cover seeds deeply; they need just a light dusting. Direct sowing is rarely practiced due to slow seedling establishment. Transplant after soil warms and frost danger has passed. Excellent drought tolerance once established; avoid overwatering. Performs best in well-drained beds or containers in full sun.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Vinca (Annual) in Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Vinca (Annual) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall County (Zone 8a). 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 Marshall County, OK. 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.