When to plant Oregano in Sheffield

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 Sheffield · average last frost around 23 Apr

Plant out May, harvest June to November. Typical frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

This is the easiest way to grow oregano for most UK gardens. Plant from bought plugs or divisions and you can start light picking much sooner than from seed.

  1. 01

    Prepare the Site

    9 Apr to 7 May

    From 9th April to 7th May, choose a sunny, free-draining spot or a pot with gritty compost. Clear weeds and work in a little horticultural grit if the soil tends to stay wet.

  2. 02

    Plant Out

    7 May to 24 May

    Set plants in their final position from 7th May to 24th May and firm them in gently. Space them apart, then water in thoroughly straight away so the roots settle.

  3. 03

    Pinch Back New Growth

    21 May to 8 Dec Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    From 21st May to 8th December, pinch out the growing tips to make the plant branch and stay compact. If flowers start to form, remove the tips early so the plant puts its energy into leafy growth.

  4. 04

    Water Sparingly

    7 May to 8 Dec Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 7th May to 8th December, water only when the top of the soil has dried out. Container plants need checking more often, but they still prefer a lighter touch than most herbs.

  5. 05

    Harvest Leaves

    6 Jun to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    Pick from 6th June to 8th November by snipping the top few centimetres of each shoot. Regular picking keeps plants compact and productive.

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.