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When to Plant Oregano in Edwards County, TX

Edwards County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May game plan for Edwards County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Edwards County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 2
Avg. first frost November 8
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: oregano

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Oregano is a robust perennial herb essential to Italian and Greek cuisine. Its pungent, savory leaves intensify in flavor when dried.

Edwards County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 4,265 feet, Edwards County receives approximately 61.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Oregano may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Oregano will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Oregano root diseases.

Edwards County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Edwards County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5

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 Edwards County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.8–8.1) overlaps with Oregano's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Edwards County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Oregano will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Oregano.

How to Plant Oregano

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

Succession Planting Oregano

4
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 10 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Oregano

Oregano 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 Oregano Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.3" 2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 1.3" 1.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 1.3" 1.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 1.3" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 1.3" 13.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 1.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 1.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 1.3" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Oregano 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.

Oregano needs ~1,988 GDD — county provides 5,830 GDD Excellent fit

Oregano Planting Timeline — Edwards County, TX

Oregano Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
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 6–8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Edwards County

Growing Tips for Oregano in Edwards County

Direct sow Oregano outdoors after April 02 in Edwards County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Edwards County dries quickly — mulch Oregano with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Edwards County, provide afternoon shade for Oregano and water deeply in the morning.

With 62" of annual rainfall in Edwards County, ensure good drainage for Oregano — excess moisture can promote root rot and fungal diseases.

General growing tips

Start from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Harvest just before flowering for strongest flavor. Cut plants back to a few inches in spring to encourage vigorous new growth.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Oregano in Edwards County, TX?

Edwards County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Oregano planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edwards County, TX?

Edwards County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 8.

🌱

Your Edwards County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Edwards County (Zone 8b). 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 Edwards County, TX. 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.