Some of our member herbgardeners asked me how I seed start my herbs. So I have been planning for a while now to create a video about the simple and easy method I use for starting my new batches of herbs.
Hey there, fellow gardening enthusiasts! I’ve been growing oregano for years at Eden Brothers, and one of the most common questions we get is about seed planting density Let me break down everything you need to know about planting oregano seeds the right way.
The Quick Answer
For best results, plant 2-3 oregano seeds per hole when starting indoors. When direct sowing outdoors, lightly broadcast the seeds on the soil surface since oregano needs light to germinate.
Detailed Planting Guide
Indoor Seed Starting (My Recommended Method)
When starting oregano indoors (which I personally recommend), here’s what’s worked best for me:
- Start 6-8 weeks before last frost
- Use 2-3 seeds per cell/hole
- Space holes 8-12 inches apart
- DON’T cover seeds with soil (they need light!)
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Maintain temperature around 65-70°F
Direct Outdoor Sowing
If you’re sowing directly in your garden
- Wait until after last frost
- Broadcast seeds lightly on soil surface
- Barely press into soil (no deeper than 1/8 inch)
- Thin seedlings to 8-12 inches apart once they sprout
- Keep soil consistently moist until germination
Pro Tips for Success
-
Soil Preparation
- Use well-draining, sandy soil
- Aim for pH between 6.8-7.8
- Avoid very acidic soils
-
Light Requirements
- Full sun (6-8 hours daily)
- Seeds need light to germinate
- Don’t bury seeds!
-
Water Management
- Keep soil moist during germination
- Once established, oregano prefers drier conditions
- Avoid overwatering
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We see these mistakes at Eden Brothers all the time:
- ❌ Planting seeds too deep
- ❌ Overcrowding seedlings
- ❌ Overwatering established plants
- ❌ Not providing enough sunlight
- ❌ Using heavy, poorly-draining soil
Harvesting Your Oregano
Once your oregano is growing strong, here’s when to harvest:
- Best flavor: Right before flowering
- Cut leaves throughout growing season
- Trim flower buds to encourage leaf growth
- Can be used fresh or dried
- Store dried leaves in cool, dry place
My Personal Experience
I gotta tell ya, I learned these tips the hard way! When I first started growing oregano, I made the rookie mistake of planting way too many seeds per hole. The seedlings got super crowded and leggy. Now I stick to 2-3 seeds per hole, and my oregano plants are thriving!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you’re having problems, here’s what might be wrong:
-
Seeds not germinating?
- Check they’re not buried
- Ensure consistent moisture
- Verify soil temperature
-
Weak seedlings?
- Probably not enough light
- Might be overcrowded
- Could be overwatered
Final Thoughts
Growing oregano isn’t rocket science, but getting the seed density right makes a huge difference. Remember, less is more – you don’t need to dump the whole seed packet in one spot (trust me, I’ve been there!).
Quick Reference Table
| Planting Method | Seeds Per Hole | Spacing | Planting Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor Starting | 2-3 seeds | 8-12 inches | Surface sow |
| Direct Sowing | Broadcast lightly | Thin to 8-12 inches | Max 1/8 inch |
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this guide in more detail? I’m always happy to share more tips from my gardening experience!
You want to learn more about seed starting herbs?
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In short what I explain in the video:
With the potting mix ready for use, we are set to start sowing Rosemary and Oregano, two lovely herbs deserving a place in every herb garden.
I like to use a relative large size of pots to start my seeds. It allows me to keep them longer in the same pot and I don’t have to replant them too quickly. But that is of course a personal choice. Most people may use smaller pots or seeding trays. That is just fine, as well.
The process is really simple.
When everything is ready, I start by filling the plastic pots with soil. I usually fill the pot loosely with soil till the top, and then I compress gently with my thumb some soil to the sides of the pot. I do this to avoid big air pockets in the soil. Next I fill up the pot a second time, until it is completely filled with soil.
When filled the pots are ready for receiving the seeds. People are always asking how many seeds to I put together in one pot. There is no law of nature telling me this of course, but I don’t mind putting several seeds in one cup. With rosemary, I go for 3 to 6 in a pot cell, I can always divide them up later. So I put them on the soil or scrape them in just below the surface with a toothpick or some small stick, about a quarter of an inch, just make sure the seeds are covered up.
After that I press the top layer of the soil gently, to make sure the seeds are covered up and make contact with the surrounding soil.
Same procedure for the oregano: Filling the pots with soil, I thumb pack the soil into the cells to get a nice solid starting base without any airpockets, filling the pots up to the top. Again here, for Oregano, I don’t mind overseeding a bit, because Oregano seeds are really, really tiny and because we want bushy herbs to grow and to harvest, so I willl sow 20-30 seeds per cell. I will pinch the seeds and just scatter them around across the top of the soil mix. Next I tuck them in again, and I gently compress the soil.
To finish up, I mark the pots with name and date sticks, I apply a first bottom watering for 20 minutes, and after removing the remaining water, they are ready to go in my seed starting station with grow lights.
So that is how I do it, I hope this was helpful to you and it may help you being successful with herb seeds as well,
If you have a question, let me know in the comments. Good luck with your herbs!
MFG 2016: Planting Oregano a Perennial Herb Using the Over-Seeding Method: Start Early!
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