Description

Spread the love

(Origanum Vulgare)
Italian Oregano is one of the most popular herbs and is a must have in every herb garden! It is super common in Italian, Greek, and Mexico cuisines and well known for its beneficial properties! Oregano is easy to grow, productive, and does great in containers! Italian Oregano has a more subtle, complex flavor than Greek Oregano and almost has a slight citrus quality!

Sowing: Start Oregano seeds indoors about 2 months before the last spring frost, sowing them just below the surface of the soil and keeping the temperature at 65-70 degrees F. Provide at least six hours of sunlight, and keep the soil moist when the seedlings appear. Transplant them as soon as they grow big enough to handle or after the last chance of frost, spacing them 12-15″ apart. Oregano thrives in fairly dry soil and full sun. To direct sow, plant seeds and thin the seedlings to 12-15″ apart. As a companion plant, oregano repels the harmful cabbage butterfly. This herb also grows well as a container plant.

Growing: Oregano actually has the most flavorful taste if left alone, with minimal watering and no fertilization. For the best tasting leaves, keep the tops pruned to prevent flowering and to keep the leaves tender.

Harvesting: Fresh leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant reaches a height of 6″. The best time for harvesting leaves is in the morning after the dew has dried. Harvest entire stalks by cutting them at least 1″ above the ground to allow for new growth. Fresh leaves will keep in the refrigerator for about five days, but can also be frozen or dried. Because heat tends to destroy the flavor of oregano, it should be added to hot food immediately before serving. Unlike most herbs, dried oregano leaves tend to have a much stronger flavor than fresh ones.

Seed Saving: Harvest Oregano seed heads individually as soon as they begin to turn brown and dry, and spread them out to finish drying in a protected location out of direct sunlight. Thresh out seeds by rubbing or shaking the heads, and remove as much chaff as possible. Store Oregano Seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.