Oregano: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
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Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Oregano with this frost date : start indoors ~Feb 18, transplant ~Apr 29 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
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About oregano
Oregano is a drought-tolerant perennial herb that intensifies in flavor when dried, providing essential seasoning for Italian and Greek cuisine year after year.
Spacing & yield
Oregano wants 12×14 inches and about 0.5 lb per plant at ~85 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Harvest just before flowers open when essential oil concentration peaks.
- Cut stems back to 4 inches in midsummer to encourage a flush of fresh growth.
- Grow in lean, well-drained soil — rich conditions produce lush growth but weak flavor.
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years when centers become woody and unproductive.
Common mistakes
- Over-fertilizing and overwatering, which dilutes the aromatic oils that give oregano its punch.
- Letting plants flower heavily, which reduces leaf production and flavor quality.
- Growing from seed of non-culinary species; taste a leaf before committing to a variety.
Harvest & storage
Cut stems 4-6 inches long just as flower buds form, about 85 days from transplant for first-year plants.
Hang bundles in a dry, dark area for 1-2 weeks; strip dried leaves into jars for year-round use.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for oregano: tomatoes, peppers, basil, squash, beans. Avoid planting beside: mint (will overtake oregano).
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 8 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks after frost. Perennial herb. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How far apart should oregano be planted?
- Space 12 inches in-row with 14 inches between rows; plants spread into 12-18 inch mounds.
- How much oregano does one plant yield?
- A mature plant produces about 0.5 lb of fresh herb per season over multiple cuttings.
- How long does oregano take to establish?
- First harvest from seed takes about 85 days; established perennial plants can be cut starting in late spring each year.