Growing Oregano: How to grow, care and harvest oregano

This page listed under Growing Herbs

The foliage of growing oregano is gray-green, oval, and a half-inch long. The beautiful, leafy perennial is used for planting in sunny garden spots as hedges and back borders.

Even if herbs were not the tastiest way to introduce interesting flavors to foods, gardeners would want to grow them for the delightful aromas and beauty they bring to the landscape.

Oregano plants belongs to the mint family of herbs and is often called wild marjoram. The plants may be grown in the garden from seed cuttings or crown divisions. The seed are tiny and should be started in a cold frame or window box.

Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of fine soil. Check daily for germination. When the seedlings are two to three inches high they may be transplanted outdoors as soon as all danger of frost has passed. Expose the growing oregano to full sun. Choose a planting medium that drains well.

Grow Oregano Successfully

Space at least a foot or more apart to allow ample room for the oregano bush. The soil needs to be rich and kept moist.

As the garden herbs mature, allow soil to dry slightly, then water thoroughly. Water frequently during hotter months.

Garden herbs such as oregano thrive most in cool climates. The herbs may grow three foot tall in warmer temperature zones.

The herb remains compact and drapes from a pot making oregano successfully grown in windowsill gardens.

Feed oregano plants weekly with half strength solution of 20-20-20 or similar fertilizers to encourage growth. Mulching reduces weeds and supplies nutrients to the herb garden. Lucky for the plants and gardeners alike, few pests will destroy herbs by using sterile potting mixes.

Handpick grasshoppers, stinkbugs, and caterpillars if insects do attack the plants. An old-fashioned approach that works is to douse the bugs in alcohol. Sticky boards to trap the invaders also work well and will not harm the herbs.

Growing oregano is easily undertaken and successful in most all parts of the United States, Canada, England, and Mexico. The attractive hedges blossom throughout the summer months. Large clusters of pale pink-purplish flowers will attract bees to gardens for needed pollination.

Harvesting Oregano

When the oregano plant begins to bloom, the tender leaves and top stems may be cut back a few inches and harvested as needed. Where the herb thrives well, it is usually possible to make two or three cuttings before the autumn frost arrives.

When the garden herb is cut for drying, the leaves and flowering tops need to be dried as quickly as possible on a screen in the shade where there is good air circulation. When thoroughly dried, strip the leaves from the woody stems by hand. Store the herb in airtight containers.

Oregano Uses

Fresh oregano leaves can be minced or dried and Ground. The leaves of oregano plant are used in similar ways as marjoram in recipes. Although the flavor of oregano may be a tad more pungent to some users.

Oregano adds an intriguing taste to vegetable-juice cocktails, fish, shellfish salads, meats, and poultry. Uses for powered oregano include in sauces, stews, and soups. Folklore suggests teas made from oregano and drunk before a meal have a calming effect and works as a powerful cough soother.

Growing oregano is often used as a remedy for upper respiratory tract infections, to relieve indigestion and strengthen immune system. A healthy dose of oregano not only adds distinctive flavor to your favorite Italian dishes but has also shown to aid digestion!

Oil Of Oregano 1 Oz Oil Of Oregano Promotes A Healthy Immune System.