Do you want to grow oregano easily?
Oregano is an essential herb that pairs well with almost any veggie preparation. It’s easy to grow and can be harvested in 4-6 months, making it a great gardening gift. Plus, it smells amazing!
If you’re looking for an amazing ingredient that will make your dishes taste better than ever before, then look no further than oregano! You can find out more about how to purchase this amazing product on our website today! We have all sorts of information about planting, harvesting and using it in your kitchen!
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
When is the Best Time of the Year to Plant Oregano
You can plant it from spring to midsummer. Oregano is a perennial, so it will come back year after year. It does best in full sun but can also tolerate some shade. Plant oregano in well-drained soil and water regularly. It can be used in both culinary and medicinal applications. So, if you’re looking to add oregano to your garden, now is the time!
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Oregano
Oregano is a delicious herb that can be used in many dishes. It’s also quite easy to grow and can be planted in many parts of the garden.
If you’re looking for a place to plant oregano, I would recommend either the herb garden or the vegetable garden. Oregano does well in sunny locations, so make sure to choose a spot that gets plenty of sun.
If you’re growing oregano in the herb garden, I would recommend planting it near the basil and thyme plants. Oregano pairs well with both of these herbs, and they’ll all grow nicely together.
If you’re growing oregano in the vegetable garden I would recommend planting it with vegetables that are part of the cabbage family.
If you want to plant oregano near other oregano plants, I would recommend planting them approximately one foot apart. This will allow the oregano to grow nice and full while giving each plant room enough to grow strong. This is also the most effective way in making sure your oregano plants will grow.
If you’re planting oregano for the first time, I would recommend picking up some oregano starter plants from your local garden center. Starting your plant this way will allow it to take root in soil that has already been prepped with a healthy amount of nutrients and a high level of organic matter.
No matter where you choose to plant your oregano, make sure to keep the soil moist at all times. Oregano doesn’t like to be dry, so water it regularly and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy and tasty herb plant.
How Often Should I Watering Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb and grows approximately 1 foot per year. It prefers the sunniest location in your garden with well-drained soil.
Oregano likes to be watered from below once per week, so water the ground about 3 inches away from the stems. Alternatively, you can also mist it 2-3 times per day for 15 minutes each time.
If you live in a hot, dry climate, watering oregano 2-3 times per week may be necessary. In general, oregano doesn’t need a lot of water; so if it’s raining or the soil is moist, you can skip a watering.
Fertilize oregano once per month with a general-purpose fertilizer or fish emulsion, and keep the soil moist until the basil begins to flower.
At that point, withhold all water and let it go dormant. If you live in a humid climate, oregano will grow year-round without any dormant periods. In winter, however, the leaves will be smaller and a little less flavorful. So, to sum up, watering oregano once per week is generally sufficient, but you may need to water it more often in hot, dry climates. Fertilize oregano once per month with a general-purpose fertilizer or fish emulsion, and keep the soil moist until the basil begins to flower, at which point withhold all water and let it go dormant.
When and How to Harvest Oregano
The best time to harvest oregano is just before the flowers bloom. Snap off the stems of the plants close to the ground. Hang them upside down in a dark, dry place and strip the leaves off the stems. You can leave some in the garden to self-sow and come back next year for more, or you can harvest it all at once.
Oregano matures at different times depending on the variety. Some varieties are ready to harvest when they’re about 2 ½ feet high, while others won’t be ready until they reach 4 feet. If you’re not sure whether your oregano is ready to harvest, just pinch off a few leaves and taste them.
If you’re growing oregano in your garden, you can mulch it with straw in the winter to keep the ground from freezing. Oregano doesn’t like wet feet, so make sure the soil is well-drained.
When you’re harvesting oregano, make sure to get as much of the stem as you can. The leaves will dry quickly and store well for later use.
Different Ways to Store Oregano
First of all, never store your oregano in the fridge because it will negatively impact the taste and effect. Instead, store it in a dark location at room temperature. You can also keep it in a cool spot, but make sure the spot is not colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, avoid storing your oregano near other spices or strong flavors because it will spoil more quickly. If you have a lot of oregano, you can dry it out by spreading it out on a baking sheet and baking at a low temperature for about an hour. You can store dried oregano for about six months.
A second method of storing your oregano is by freezing it. If you freeze your oregano, it will retain its flavor and active pungent compounds for about a year. To freeze the herb, spread out the sprigs on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Once the oregano is frozen, put it into a freezer bag or container and return it to the freezer.
Another option for storing oregano is in olive oil. You can either dry the oregano and then add it to olive oil or add fresh oregano leaves to olive oil. If you choose to dry the oregano, you will need about one tablespoon of leaves for every two ounces of oil. Add the oregano and oil to a jar and close it tightly. Store the jar in a cool, dark place and shake it occasionally. The flavor of the oregano will infuse into the oil over time.
You can also store oregano in vinegar. You will need about eight ounces of oregano and sixteen ounces of vinegar to make your infusion. Add the ingredients to a jar and seal it tightly. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for about two weeks and shake it occasionally. The infused vinegar can be used as-is or combined with olive oil for an extra kick.
As you can see, there are several different ways to store your oregano. By using one of these methods, you can ensure that you will always have this delicious herb on hand.
Other Things of Interest About Oregano
- Oregano is a flowering herb in the Lamiaceae family and among the most common of culinary herbs.
- It has an aromatic, warm, and slightly sweet taste which can vary in intensity.
- Essential oils may change with climate and other environmental factors such as sunlight exposure and moisture levels.
- It is native to warm-temperate western and southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region.
- The plants grow to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm (0.39–1.57 in) long;
- Of the approximately 40 species found in warmer climates, only three are used extensively in the cuisines of the Mediterranean region today.
- The most abundant component found in essential oil is carvacrol, mostly in its free form (64%).
- Oregano’s most prominent modern use is as the staple herb of Italian cuisine, particularly with tomatoes.
- It was sometimes called wild marjoram in the Middle Ages when its Latin name was confused with that of Origanum vulgare.
Conclusion: it is important to remember that oregano is a very versatile plant. It has leaves that are great for adding flavor to your dishes and also flowers that are amazing for decorating your house or bringing brightness to the table, indoors or outside.