Kilei zera'im in the home garden: Status of thyme, basil, oregano, and strawberries

Answer

Oregano: As a woody perennial, oregano is actually considered a halachic "tree."

Basil: There are two types; the perennial type with a woody stem is also considered a tree; the annual is not - but if the other herbs in your garden are trees, you can plant them near one another without an issue.

Strawberry: There is actually a lengthy halachic discussion as to its status.

Bottom line: Being an herbaceous perennial, it is considered a vegetable, so the laws of kilei zera'im apply and it needs to be distanced from other "vegetables" (from the spot it was planted).

Here are several helpful links on the topic:

• The kilei zara'im ruler tells you the distance necessary between various plants, here.
• This list of herb classification notes which herbs are considered trees and which are vegetables, here.
• Intermediate plant classification (including strawberry) also notes this, here.