When to plant Oregano in Nottingham

Origanum vulgare

Oregano
Oregano · Origanum vulgare

A hardy Mediterranean herb that grows best in a sunny, free-draining spot or a pot. In the UK it copes well with cold winters if the soil stays reasonably dry, and the flavour is strongest in dry weather.

45 cm · Full Sun · Low Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr

Sow indoors March to May, sow outdoors March to April, plant out May to June, harvest May to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Best for gardeners starting a few plants at home in pots or a seed bed. It is slow from seed, so expect light picking in the first year and fuller harvests after that.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    6 Mar to 6 Apr

    Sow seeds thinly on the surface of seed compost from 6th March to 6th April and press them in gently. Do not cover them deeply, as they need light to germinate.

  2. 02

    Thin or Prick Out Seedlings

    27 Mar to 11 May

    When seedlings are large enough to handle, from 27th March to 11th May, thin them or prick them out into small pots. Keep them just moist and give plenty of light so they do not become leggy.

  3. 03

    Harden Off

    27 Apr to 11 May

    From 27th April to 11th May, acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions over about 10 days. Put them out for longer each day, and protect them from cold nights and strong wind.

  4. 04

    Plant Out

    11 May to 4 Jun

    Move plants to their final position from 11th May to 4th June, once the soil has warmed and all frost risk has passed. Space them apart, plant at the same depth as in the pot, and water them in thoroughly straight away.

  5. 05

    Pinch and Water

    25 May to 7 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 25th May to 7th November, pinch out the tips regularly to keep plants compact and bushy. Water sparingly once established, only when the compost or soil has dried a little, as oregano dislikes sitting wet.

  6. 06

    Harvest Leaves

    29 May to 7 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Pick lightly from 29th May to 7th November once plants are well rooted and growing strongly. Snip shoot tips rather than cutting into old bare stems.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Oregano to consider

Common Oregano

The standard strong-flavoured form for cooking, with good hardiness in UK gardens.

Aureum

A low-growing oregano with golden foliage and a milder flavour, useful in pots and edging.

Compactum

A smaller, dense form that suits containers and the front of a herb bed.

Variegatum

A variegated oregano grown more for foliage than for heavy picking, with a lighter flavour.

Oregano guides by town

See how Oregano timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.