Oregano

In the Central European lowlands, oregano is fully hardy and stays in the bed without protection. Cut the shoots back only in spring; the standing stems protect the rootstock and give insects shelter. Place container oregano in a sheltered spot (e.g. against a house wall) and water sparingly only on frost-free days.

You can propagate oregano in three easy ways. Sowing (February to April): scatter the seeds on moist substrate and press them down only lightly. Oregano germinates in light and must not be covered. At around 18 to 21 °C the seeds germinate after 7 to 14 days. Raise indoors from February and plant out from mid-May, after the Ice Saints. Cuttings (early summer, about May to June): cut non-woody shoot tips 5 to 10 cm long just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves so that the upper two to three pairs of leaves remain. Place the cuttings either in a glass of water (submerge the lower 2 to 3 cm) or insert them directly into sandy, well-drained seed compost. High humidity helps rooting; an upturned plastic bag or a propagator is ideal. After 2 to 4 weeks strong roots have formed, recognisable by new growth. Division (spring or autumn): carefully lift an established plant, knock off the soil and divide the root ball into two to four sections with a sharp knife, a spade or two garden forks placed back to back. Each section needs its own roots and at least one shoot. Replant straight away and water in well. Dividing every three to four years is recommended so the plant does not turn woody and stays bushy.