When to plant oregano in Prineville, OR

Plant young oregano plants in Prineville May 4 – Jun 29.

Easy Plant young plants

Why these dates

Prineville's typical last spring frost is June 1. 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 May 4 – Jun 29, 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 Prineville, OR?

Typically June 1. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Prineville.

Is it too late to plant oregano in Prineville?

The spring planting window runs through June 29. 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 Prineville around the same time

Planting dates for oregano in nearby areas

Bend and Redmond, OR May 12 – Jul 7
Klamath Falls, OR May 12 – Jul 7
Burns, OR May 14 – Jul 9
Madras, OR Apr 21 – Jun 16
Lakeview, OR May 7 – Jul 2
Baker City, OR Apr 27 – Jun 22

Full planting calendar for Prineville · Oregano in every city