Blog

When to Plant Epazote in Windsor-Essex, ON

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.

Windsor-Essex, Ontario is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 623 feet, Windsor-Essex receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Epazote during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Epazote, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Windsor-Essex, ON (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Windsor-Essex Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Epazote Planting Timeline — Windsor-Essex, ON

Epazote Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest May 28 May 28 – Jul 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Windsor-Essex

Growing Tips for Windsor-Essex

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 Windsor-Essex, ON?

Windsor-Essex is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Epazote planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor-Essex, ON?

Windsor-Essex, Ontario is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 1.

🌱

Your Windsor-Essex Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Windsor-Essex (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Windsor-Essex, ON. 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.