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When to Plant Rosemary in Coos County, OR

Coos County, Oregon Zone 9a May

This month in Coos County, Oregon

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

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: rosemary

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Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 96 feet, Coos County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season.

Coos County, OR (Zone 9a) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19
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Coos County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Oct 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Nov 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Dec 9

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 Coos County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Rosemary's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Coos County is excellent for Rosemary — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.7%) — Rosemary will thrive.

How to Plant Rosemary

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

Succession Planting Rosemary

3
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by May 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Rosemary

Rosemary 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 Rosemary Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 1.3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 1.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 0.6" 0.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 1.3" 0.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 1.3" 1.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 5.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Rosemary 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.

Rosemary needs ~2,178 GDD — county provides 4,053 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline — Coos County, OR

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.3"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–180 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

242 days in Coos County

Growing Tips for Rosemary in Coos County

Direct sow Rosemary outdoors after March 22 in Coos County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Coos County, OR?

Coos County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coos County, OR?

Coos County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 19.

🌱

Your Coos County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Coos County (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 Coos County, OR. 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.