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USDA Hardiness Zones

9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 9-11 - Grows as a tender perennial in these zones. In all other zones, it is grown as a warm-season annual or a container plant that is brought indoors for the winter.

Best performance in Zones 4-8 when grown as an annual.

Northern Zones (2-8) - Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Do not transplant outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and night temperatures are consistently above 50F. Can be grown in containers and brought indoors for winter.

Hot Climate Zones (9-11) - Can be direct sown or transplanted outdoors in early spring. In desert regions with extreme heat, some afternoon shade can prevent wilting and stress.

Soil Temperature - Requires warm soil for germination. Sow seeds after the soil has warmed to at least 65F, with optimal soil temperature of 70-85F.

Growing Season - Requires 60-90 frost-free days to reach maturity, but can be harvested sooner.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

Planting Tips

When to Plant:
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost date. Marjoram seeds are tiny and can be slow to germinate. Do not transplant outdoors until all danger of frost has passed and night temperatures are consistently above 50F. You can also direct sow seeds outdoors after the soil has warmed.

Location and Soil:
Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day). Sweet marjoram thrives in light, well-draining soil. It dislikes heavy, wet soils, which can cause root rot. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal.

Starting Seeds:

Sowing Indoors: Fill seed starting trays with a well-draining seed starting mix. Sow the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil and do not cover, as they require light to germinate.

Gently mist the soil to keep it moist. Consistent moisture is crucial for germination, which can take 7-14 days or longer.

Sowing Outdoors: Prepare a seedbed by raking the soil smooth. Scatter the seeds over the surface and lightly press them into the soil.

Care and Maintenance:

Watering: Water regularly until the plants are established. Once mature, marjoram is fairly drought-tolerant. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Fertilizing: Marjoram does not require rich soil and generally does not need to be fertilized. Over-fertilizing can lead to less flavorful foliage.

Pinching/Harvesting: To encourage a bushier plant and prevent it from becoming woody, pinch off the stems and leaves regularly. The best time to harvest is just before the plant flowers.

Overwintering: In colder zones, the plant will die back. To save it, you can bring the potted plant indoors to a sunny window.

Pests and Diseases: Sweet marjoram is generally pest and disease-free. Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew in humid climates.

Sweet Marjoram Seeds - Origanum majorana

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