Oregano in May: monthly care

Oregano thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny borders, herb gardens, or containers. It tolerates sandy, loamy, and chalky soils but dislikes heavy clay or waterlogged conditions. If your soil is heavy, dig in plenty of grit or sharp sand before planting to improve drainage, or grow oregano in raised beds or pots filled with a gritty, soil-based compost. Plant oregano outdoors in April or May once the risk of hard frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm. You can start from young plants, rooted cuttings, or by dividing established clumps. Space plants 35 cm apart to allow for their spreading habit—mature oregano will form bushy mounds 30–50 cm tall and wide. Dig a planting hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the roots. Water in well to settle the soil, but avoid saturating it. Oregano dislikes sitting in moisture, so err on the side of dryness once established. If sowing seed, start indoors in March or sow directly outdoors in late April or May when soil temperatures reach at least 15°C. Scatter seed thinly on the surface of moist compost—oregano seed needs light to germinate—and cover lightly or not at all. Thin seedlings to 35 cm apart once they're large enough to handle. After planting, water sparingly. Oregano establishes quickly in warm, dry conditions and needs little aftercare. Mulching is generally unnecessary and can retain too much moisture around the crown, so leave the soil surface bare or use fine gravel if you prefer a tidy finish.