How to grow Oregano

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Oregano with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant seedlings or divisions in mid-spring after the last frost, or in early autumn in warm climates. Seeds can be started indoors in late winter.

🌰 How to plant

1. Choose a sunny, well-draining spot and loosen the soil deeply.
2. Plant seedlings or divisions at the same depth they were growing, spacing 30 cm apart.
3. Water gently after planting and keep soil lightly moist until established (2–3 weeks).
4. Mulch lightly around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

💧 Care

• Water sparingly once established; reduce watering in cooler months.
• Pinch back stems regularly in spring and early summer to encourage bushier growth.
• Deadhead spent flowers to prolong leaf production, or leave some to flower for pollinators.
• Cut back by half in mid-autumn to rejuvenate plants and remove woody growth.
• Divide plants every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigor.

🧺 Harvest

Pinch or cut leaves anytime during the growing season, harvesting no more than one-third of the plant at once. For best flavor and quantity, harvest in mid-morning after dew dries but before heat peaks, or just as flowers begin to open.

🐛 Common problems

Root rot: Improve drainage by amending soil with sand or gravel, and water only when soil is dry to the touch.

Spider mites: Spray affected plants with a strong water stream or insecticidal soap, repeating weekly as needed.

Powdery mildew: Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants properly and remove affected leaves; apply sulfur dust if severe.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Tomatoes, Peppers, Basil, Thyme

⚠️ Keep apart from: Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli), Fennel

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