Oregano
A fragrant, perennial herb essential in Mediterranean cooking. Easy to grow and thrives in sunny, dry conditions, making it perfect for herb gardens, pots, or rockeries.
Oregano seeds
£1.79 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
April – May, indoors or direct outdoors after last frost
Plant out
May – June, once danger of frost has passed
Harvest
June – October, before flowering for best flavour
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6+ hours a day
Water
Water sparingly once established; prefers drier conditions
Soil
Well-drained, sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
20-30cm (8-12 inches) between plants
Containers
Excellent in pots and window boxes, 20cm (8 inch) diameter or larger
Indoors
Can be grown on a sunny windowsill year-round for fresh leaves
Care and harvest
Feeding
Generally not needed; if in pots, a weak liquid feed once a month in summer
Pruning
Trim regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering, which can make leaves bitter
Harvesting
Snip off sprigs as needed, taking care not to remove more than a third of the plant at once. Best before flowering.
Storage
Use fresh, or dry by hanging bunches in a cool, dark place. Store dried in airtight containers.
Good companions: Tomatoes, Peppers, Cabbage, Broccoli