When to Plant Oregano in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
Soil temperature is modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate
In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.
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This Oregano guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Oct to Jan
- 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 Cool Temperate
- Jan T
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct S/T
- Nov S/T/D
- Dec S/T/D
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Oregano in Cool Temperate 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
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Oregano
Recommended Varieties
- Common oregano
- Greek oregano
Key Challenges
- Winter dieback
Pro Tips
- Mulch crown in winter
- Reliable perennial
Pests and problems for Oregano in Cool Temperate
- Aphids and Powdery Mildew Low
- 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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- Price history and price alerts
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- Full salt and canning detail
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 Melbourne?
No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan, Oct to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Oregano in Melbourne?
A hardy perennial that dies back in winter and regrows in spring. Plant from spring to early summer.
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 Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Common oregano, Greek oregano.
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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.