When to sow Oregano in the UK
Oregano is sown relative to the average last frost, so the right week depends on where in the UK you garden.
Sowing and harvest dates by region
Oregano is timed from the average frost dates, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Sow indoors | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | late January to early March | early April to early May | late February to late September |
| South Coast and Channel | early February to mid March | mid April to mid May | early March to early October |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late January to early March | early April to early May | late February to late September |
| South East and Home Counties | late February to late March | late April to late May | late March to mid October |
| East Anglia | late February to early April | early May to early June | late March to late October |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | early March to mid April | early May to mid June | early April to late October |
| Wales and West Coast | late February to late March | late April to late May | late March to mid October |
| Northern England | mid March to mid April | mid May to mid June | mid April to early November |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | late March to late April | late May to late June | mid April to mid November |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | mid April to mid May | mid June to mid July | early May to early December |
| Northern Ireland | late February to early April | early May to early June | late March to late October |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | late January to late February | late March to early May | late February to mid September |
Growing notes
A hardy perennial 30-60cm high and wide: sow indoors in spring and plant out 20-30cm apart after the last frost, or buy a plant. Origanum vulgare is reliably hardy in free-draining soil, while the sweeter marjorams are more tender; trim in late spring and cut back flower stems as they fade.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 25 cm between plants
- Row spacing
- 30 cm
- Plants per m²
- 12
- Yield per plant
- 0.15 kg
- Sun
- Full
- Frost tender
- No
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 5 litres or more
- Minimum soil depth
- 15 cm
- Balcony rating
- 5 out of 5
How long until it crops
Expect the first worthwhile pick about 1 year after planting.
What usually goes wrong
- mint rust
- mint moth
- sage and Ligurian leafhopper
Companion planting
Grows well near
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for oregano.