Missouri planting calendar

When to plant oregano in Missouri — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Missouri is mostly USDA zone 6b (range 5b-7a). Dates below are derived from oregano's frost tolerance and Missouri's frost window — not generic national averages.

Oregano planting timetable for Missouri

Stage	When in Missouri	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	early March (March 4)	6 weeks before the last frost (mid-April)
Transplant outside	mid-April (April 15)	0 days after the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	early July (July 4)	~80 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Missouri's climate shifts the oregano dates

Missouri's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost mid-October, which sets the whole planting clock. Missouri has a humid continental climate with hot summers and a southeastern Bootheel that gardens nearly a zone warmer than the north. Wait for warm soil — oregano stall in cold ground even after the air warms, so don't rush them out.

Oregano is a hardy perennial in zones 5-10 and is easiest to start from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, or from divisions or cuttings; seeds are tiny and slow to produce harvestable growth. Transplant outdoors around the last frost date once soil has warmed to at least 13 °C — established plants tolerate light frost. In zones 4 and colder, treat as an annual or overwinter divisions in a cold frame; in zones 9-11 it stays evergreen but may die back in intense summer heat without afternoon shade.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before mid-April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Missouri

the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Kansas City — USDA zone 6b
St. Louis — USDA zone 7a
Springfield — USDA zone 7a
Columbia — USDA zone 6b

What else to plant in Missouri around then

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 13-21 °C (55-70 °F).
Spacing: 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~80 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant oregano in Missouri?

In Missouri (mostly USDA zone 6b), sow oregano indoors around early March, transplant outdoors mid-April (after the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from early July. Oregano are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Missouri?

Most of Missouri sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b, with the state spanning roughly 5b-7a from the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) to the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost mid-October.

Can you grow oregano in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri's dominant zone 6b supports oregano — the key is timing. Oregano are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Missouri?

the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Missouri around the same time?

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.