When to plant oregano in John Day, OR

Plant young oregano plants in John Day Apr 30 – Jun 25.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

John Day's typical last spring frost is May 28. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 12 to 18 inches apart
Planting depth: Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: Pick lightly the first year, freely after that

Step by step

Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant young oregano plants Apr 30 – Jun 25, 12 to 18 inches apart. Plant at the depth it grew in the nursery pot.
Water sparingly once established. Rich soil makes the flavor milder, so skip the fertilizer.
Harvest: Cut stems just before flowering, when flavor peaks. Dry bunches upside down in a shady, airy spot.

Varieties that do well here

Greek oregano (strongest flavor)
Italian oregano
Golden oregano

Watch out for

Few pests. Plants sprawl and get woody; cut them back by half in early summer.

A hardy perennial that thrives on neglect. Flavor is strongest just before it flowers.

Common questions

When is the last frost in John Day, OR?

Typically May 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 15. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for John Day.

Is it too late to plant oregano in John Day?

The spring planting window runs through June 25. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can pick oregano?

Pick lightly the first year, freely after that. Cut stems just before flowering, when flavor peaks. Dry bunches upside down in a shady, airy spot.

Also plant in John Day around the same time

Planting dates for oregano in nearby areas

Baker City, OR Apr 27 – Jun 22
Pendleton, OR Apr 1 – May 27
The Dalles, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Hood River, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Hermiston, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Ontario, OR Apr 1 – May 27

Full planting calendar for John Day · Oregano in every city