I recently got an email from an Epic Gardening reader with a familiar question. When I first started gardening and didn’t know how to start seeds, I had the same question:
Sally, that’s a great question! Knowing the answer will help you learn more about gardening and starting seeds in general, because it depends on an important idea: germination rates.
Oregano is an indispensable herb in countless cuisines around the world. Its pungent, slightly bittersweet flavor brightens up pasta sauces, pizza, roast vegetables, grilled meats, and more While dried oregano is convenient, growing your own fresh oregano is incredibly rewarding. However, properly spacing and sowing the tiny seeds can be tricky for novice gardeners Learning the optimal number of seeds to plant per hole will ensure your oregano crop thrives.
Why Proper Seed Spacing Matters
Oregano seeds are tiny, making them difficult to handle and space out. You may be tempted to simply sprinkle them liberally over the soil. However, thick, crowded seeding leads to poor germination and stunted, spindly seedlings competing for resources. Carefully planting the proper number of seeds per hole leads to healthy, productive oregano plants. Follow these spacing guidelines:
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Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in the soil
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Space holes 2-4 inches apart in all directions
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Plant 3-4 seeds per hole for best results
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Gently cover holes with fine soil or vermiculite
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Gently water after planting to moisten soil
This method prevents overcrowding while allowing plenty of robust seedlings to emerge. The seedlings can later be thinned to the optimal final spacing.
How Deep to Plant Oregano Seeds
Oregano seeds need very shallow planting, no more than 1/4 inch deep. Any deeper and the seeds may fail to emerge properly. Follow these tips when sowing:
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Prepare seed starting mix or friable garden soil
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Moisten the soil before planting but avoid soaking
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Use a pencil to poke uniform shallow holes
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Place seeds in holes using tweezers or fingers
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Gently cover holes with fine soil or vermiculite
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Label rows for easy identification later
This shallow planting depth gives oregano seeds the ideal conditions to germinate and push through the soil. Deeper planting often hampers emergence.
Which Growing Method is Best?
You can start oregano seeds in trays or pots for later transplanting, or direct sow in the garden. Here are the pros and cons of each method:
Indoor Seeding
Pros: Avoid weather damage, lengthen growing season, control conditions, protect from pests
Cons: Require transplanting, need grow lights, less hardy seedlings
Outdoor Seeding
Pros: No transplant shock, avoid root damage, simple process
Cons: Dependent on weather, exposed to predators, shorter growing season
Most gardeners find a combination works best – starting a few seeds indoors for an early harvest, and direct sowing the majority at the right outdoor timing.
Ideal timing for Planting Oregano
Oregano thrives when the weather is warm. Plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Move seedlings outdoors after hardening off when frost risk has passed. For direct sowing, wait 2-4 weeks after the last frost when soil has warmed.
Spacing for Transplanted Seedlings
If you start oregano indoors, transplant outdoors when seedlings have 4-6 true leaves. Follow these spacing guidelines:
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Space plants 10-12 inches apart in all directions
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Water transplants well and provide shade for 1 week after transplanting
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Pinch off any flowers in first year so plants establish well
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Mulch around seedlings to retain moisture and reduce weeds
Adequate spacing prevents overcrowding and allows good air circulation, reducing pest and disease problems.
Thinning Direct Sown Seedlings
When direct sowing, you’ll need to thin oregano seedlings. Wait until they reach 2 inches tall. Then carefully snip off the weakest, leaving the strongest seedling every 10-12 inches. Thinning prevents overcrowding and allows the remaining plants to grow robustly.
Providing Optimal Growing Conditions
In addition to proper seed spacing, oregano needs:
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At least 6 hours of full sun daily
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Well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0
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Consistent moisture, about 1 inch weekly
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Shelter from strong winds
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Temperatures between 70-80°F
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Fertilizer applied every 3-4 weeks while actively growing
Meeting these ideal conditions will help your oregano plants thrive. Proper seed sowing kicks things off right.
Troubleshooting Germination Issues
Sometimes oregano seeds fail to germinate well. Common reasons include:
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Planting too deep – Sow just 1/4 inch deep
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Soil too wet or dry – Aim for evenly moist soil
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Old or low quality seeds – Purchase fresh seeds each season
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Temperature too cool – Maintain 70°F+ soil temperature
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Fungal diseases – Avoid overwatering and provide good airflow
Carefully following planting guidelines can help avoid many germination problems.
Harvesting Your Oregano
Once established, oregano will provide a bountiful harvest. Pick leaves as needed once plants reach 4-6 inches tall. Cut stems just above leaf nodes to encourage more growth. Harvest in the morning after dew dries for best flavor. Oregano will provide multiple cuttings all season long with proper care. The easiest way to always have fresh oregano is to plant a few new seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.
Storing Your Oregano Bounty
Preserve your oregano harvest by:
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Hanging bundles to air dry
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Freezing chopped leaves in ice cube trays with olive oil
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Infusing vinegar or olive oil with fresh leaves
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Making oregano salt or seasoning blend
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Freezing leaves in sealed bags
Proper storage lets you enjoy your oregano all year long.
Starting with the right sowing technique makes growing a thriving oregano crop much simpler. Now that you know the ideal number of seeds per hole, you can plant your oregano patch with confidence. In no time, you’ll have plenty of fresh oregano to harvest.
Seeds: 32
Plant: 9
Oregano: 24
Hole: 12
Soil: 7
Seedlings: 6
Space: 5
Direct: 4
Sow: 7
Transplant: 3
Thinning: 2
Harvest: 3
Germination: 3
Grow: 2
Spaing: 2
Answer One: Seed Germination Rates
Not all seeds are created equal. Some plant species have higher germination rates than others. Some seeds from the same type of plant are older than others, which slows down the rate at which they sprout.
Imagine you’re growing arugula microgreens and the average germination rate is 90%. Just 65 of the 72 plant inserts in a 72-plant starter tray will actually sprout if you plant one arugula seed in each one.
Now imagine you plant multiple seeds at three arugula seeds per insert. Every one of these seeds has a 10% chance of failing, which means the chance of all of them failing is only 20%. 1%. This means that you are 99. 9% likely to have the seeds in that cell germinate. So, in a tray with 72 inserts, it’s very unlikely that any seeds would not germinate, unless there are other things that stop seeds from germinating.
In short: Plant multiple seeds per hole to increase the chances you have perfect germination rates.
Answer Two: Seedling Selection
Just as not all seeds are created equal from a germination standpoint, not all seeds germinate equally. Sometimes you have a seed that shoots off like a rocket and becomes too leggy. If this was the only seed in your insert, you’d be forced to use it.
You can pick the seedlings that look the strongest by planting two to three seeds in each cell. You just need to pick the one you like best and cut off the other seedlings to kill them while the ones you chose grow.
Great Herbs! How to Seed Start Oregano Indoors: Over Seeding Method! – MFG 2014
FAQ
How many seeds should I plant in one hole?
Does oregano like to be crowded?
How do you plant oregano seeds?
How many herb seeds to plant per hole?
How many seeds can you plant in a hole?
If you’re planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they’ve established themselves. You just want to avoid crowding these large seeds together so you don’t mess up the germination process.
How far apart should you plant oregano seeds?
Plant the oregano seeds or cuttings in well drained soil once the soil temperature is at least 70F. Space the oregano plants 8-10 inches apart. Each plant should grow to about 1-2 feet in length and spread out to about 18 inches. Allow your oregano plant to grow to 4 inches and then thin or pinch off to encourage a denser plant.
How big do oregano seeds grow?
Oregano seeds are tiny but grow into plants up to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide. Although oregano is a perennial, it will die back in cold winters and come back in the spring. Oregano seeds can be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost. They need light to germinate, so lightly cover the seeds with a growing medium.
Can you grow Oregano from seeds?
Yes, you can grow oregano from seeds. Oregano is a perennial herb with purple or white flowers and is an ultimate staple in Italian cuisine. You can grow oregano either in your garden or in a pot or container on your windowsill. Sprinkle oregano on meats, soups, pizzas, and pasta sauces for super flavorful dishes. Today we’ll show you how to grow oregano from seeds!
When should I plant oregano seeds?
Oregano is somewhat drought tolerant so it will not suffer if you are a little neglectful. Therefore you may want to plant with other similar herbs like Thyme or Rosemary. Optimum time to plant seeds is around Early Spring to late May. Ten years from now you should still be harvesting from the same plant!
How often should you plant oregano seedlings?
Plant seedlings at the same depth that they’ve been growing. Oregano is a perennial that will continue growing year after year. Over time new growth slows down, and the plant becomes more woody. Dividing oregano plants every few years will encourage new growth. Around five years, your oregano plant will need to be replaced.