Growing Oregano

Growing Oregano

• Plant oregano in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Prepare the soil before planting by adding Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil, or using Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix or Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix.
• Plant oregano at the same time as other warm-weather edibles. 
• Water plants thoroughly at the time of planting, then consistently throughout the season.
• Feed plants regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules.
• Prune plants in the spring after new growth appears.
• Snip oregano leaves for drying or fresh use.

Fresh oregano adds depth and flavor to many dishes. Easy to grow at home, it's a warm weather-loving herb that is perennial in zones 5 and warmer, meaning it will come back each year. In cooler areas, it dies back during the winter instead of staying evergreen, but then vigorously re-grows in the springtime. Oregano spreads easily, so a couple of plants will produce as much oregano as one cook could possibly use.

Here's how to grow oregano in your garden.

• Plant oregano in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Prepare the soil before planting by adding Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil, or using Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Raised Bed Mix or Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose Container Mix.
• Plant oregano at the same time as other warm-weather edibles. 
• Water plants thoroughly at the time of planting, then consistently throughout the season.
• Feed plants regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules.
• Prune plants in the spring after new growth appears.
• Snip oregano leaves for drying or fresh use.

Fresh oregano adds depth and flavor to many dishes. Easy to grow at home, it's a warm weather-loving herb that is perennial in zones 5 and warmer, meaning it will come back each year. In cooler areas, it dies back during the winter instead of staying evergreen, but then vigorously re-grows in the springtime. Oregano spreads easily, so a couple of plants will produce as much oregano as one cook could possibly use.

Here's how to grow oregano in your garden.

How to Plant Oregano

You can grow oregano from seed, but it is much easier to start with strong young plants like those from Bonnie Plants®, which are easy to find at garden centers and home improvement stores. If you do decide to grow from seed, fill a tray with Miracle-Gro® Seed Starting Potting Mix, which is specially formulated for fast root growth, and sprinkle seeds on top. Mist them, cover the tray with clear plastic wrap to keep the seeds moist while they germinate, then put the tray in a sunny window or under a grow light. Once you begin to see growth, uncover the tray. When the seedlings are several inches tall, they can be planted outside.

When planting young plants, make sure that the stem does not become buried in soil. The top of the root ball should be at the level of the surrounding soil. Allow 12 to 18 inches of space between plants, as they will spread out as they grow. (Oregano actually makes an excellent, fragrant groundcover.) If planting in a container, choose a pot that measures least 14 inches across the top. After planting, water thoroughly.

How to Water Oregano

Water seedlings once or twice per week for the first few weeks. The soil should be about as moist as a wrung-out sponge. Once the plant has developed a good root system, you can decrease watering. Oregano does not like "wet feet," so always check to make sure that the top inch of soil is dry before watering.

How to Feed Oregano

Oregano is not a big eater, so using Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules, a continuous release plant food, allows the plant to get the nutrition it needs over time rather than all at once. This food contains natural ingredients to feed microbes in the soil, as well as vital micronutrients to grow stronger, vibrant, and more productive plants (versus unfed). Follow label directions when feeding.

How to Prune Oregano

Oregano is a vigorous grower and quickly can become overgrown and woody. Cut the top 2/3 of the plant off in the spring, once the plant has begun to grow again. Be sure to harvest regularly (up to 1/3 of the plant) throughout the season to keep the plant producing tender new growth. Always water after pruning.

How to Harvest and Use Oregano

Use hand pruners or kitchen shears to snip oregano stems. To dry, tie several stems together and hang them upside-down in a cool, dry location. Fresh oregano does not hold up well in cooking, so add it just a few minutes before the dish is done.

Ready to start growing oregano? Click on any of the product links above for more information, to purchase the product online, or to find a retailer near you.