When to Plant Oregano Seeds

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost of the season or sow directly into the garden after the last frost of the season.

Where to Plant Oregano Seeds

Oregano thrives in drier, sandier soils that are well drained with access to full sun (6-8 hours of sun per day). Oregano does poorly in very acidic soils, and prefers a pH range of 6.8-7.8.

How to Plant Oregano Seeds

Oregano seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here.

When started indoors, transplant into the garden 8-12 inches apart. When grown outdoors from seed, spread seeds via broadcasting. Avoid covering seed in soil deeper than 1/8th of an inch, as sunlight is needed to germinate. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, during the germination process. As seedlings come up, thin out plants until they are 8-12 inches apart.

How to Harvest Oregano

Oregano leaves can be harvested during the entire growing season, but are at their most flavorful when harvested right before the plant blooms. Cut leaves can be used fresh or they can be hung to dry in a cool, dry place such as a garage. To increase the yield of a given plant, trim the blooms before flowering to encourage leaf growth.