When to Plant Oregano in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Oregano guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Days to harvest
- 60 days
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Spacing
- 30 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
Hardy perennial Mediterranean herb essential to Italian, Greek and Mexican cuisines. Oregano's flavour intensifies when dried. One of the few herbs where dried can be better than fresh.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar S/T/D
- Apr T
- May ✓
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct T/D
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Oregano in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, lean soil. Excess fertility reduces flavour.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 6.0-8.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Maximum sun = maximum flavour.
- Spacing
- 30cm apart, 45cm between rows
- Watering
- Low water once established. Overwatering is the #1 killer.
- Good companions
- Tomato, Basil, Capsicum, Thyme, Broccoli
- Keep away from
- Mint
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Oregano
Recommended Varieties
- Greek oregano (very drought tolerant)
Key Challenges
- Extreme summer heat
Pro Tips
- Excellent zone, dry conditions suit it perfectly
- Best flavour from hot, dry conditions
Pests and problems for Oregano in Arid / Semi-Arid
- Aphids and Powdery Mildew Moderate
- Root Rot DRAINAGE. Raised beds, sandy soil, gravel mulch. Terracotta pots in humid zones. Watch
Organic prevention (Aphids): Healthy plants in full sun rarely have problems.
Harvesting Oregano
When ready: Harvest once bushy and 15cm+ tall. Best flavour just before flowering.
How to harvest: Cut stems above a leaf pair. Take up to 2/3 of plant in peak season.
Storing and preserving oregano
How to keep it
- Drying (BEST method). Bundle, hang upside down 1-2 weeks. Crumble leaves. Oregano INTENSIFIES when dried. Keeps: 12-18 months.
- Freezing in oil. Chop, freeze in ice cube trays with olive oil. Keeps: 6 months.
- Oregano oil/vinegar. Pack into sterilised jar with olive oil or vinegar. Seal 2-4 weeks. Strain. Keeps: 3 months oil, 12 months vinegar.
What oregano costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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Common Questions About Oregano
When do you plant oregano in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Aug
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Jun, Aug to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan, Mar to Apr, Sep to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Oct to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jan, Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to May, Aug to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Nov
Can you grow oregano all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Mar to May, Aug to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Oregano in Alice Springs?
Best set out as cuttings or potted plants in autumn or spring. It handles dry heat well once established.
What soil temperature do Oregano need?
Oregano germinate best when soil temperature is between 18°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Oregano are ready to harvest?
Harvest once bushy and 15cm+ tall. Best flavour just before flowering.
What are the best Oregano varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Greek oregano (very drought tolerant).
What grows well with Oregano?
Good companion plants for Oregano include: Tomato, Basil, Capsicum, Thyme, Broccoli.
Are oregano salt tolerant?
Only a little. Oregano are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.