Oregano Quick Guide 101 -Planting, Growing, Care and Harvesting-

Oregano is a perennial herb with a thyme-like flavor and rose-purple or white blooms. The flavor of oregano is zesty and powerful, and it’s often used in Italian cooking. It’s a resilient plant that works well as a ground cover. Dried herbs store well and offer the home chef access to numerous tastes and fragrances. Oregano is a zesty Mediterranean plant with a strong taste. It’s simple to cultivate a plant that may be used fresh or dried. Oregano, often known as wild marjoram, is a strong-flavored plant. Marjoram, often known as sweet marjoram, is not to be confused with oregano. Oregano has a subtype called marjoram. When compared to oregano, marjoram has a more delicate flavor. Fresh or dried oregano leaves are used to flavor a variety of prepared meals. Oregano has a strong, peppery, and occasionally bitter taste. It has a flowery, pleasant scent.

How to Plant Oregano

Oregano is often grown from potted nursery starts or rooted cuttings obtained from established plants. It may be found in nurseries as well as specialist catalogs. The most common kitchen herbs are typically available at local nurseries, whereas catalogs typically have the largest selection of oregano plants. Oregano is one of those Mediterranean herbs that thrive in full light and well-drained soil. This is an excellent plant for those sunny parts of your yard that have poor soil. Standard oregano should be planted 12 to 18 inches apart in the garden. Before planting, wait until the soil temperature reaches around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Oregano likes the sun, so make sure you plant it somewhere where it will get enough of it. Some people wait until later in the season to plant in order to guarantee mild weather. Plant the seeds/cuttings 6 to 10 weeks before the final spring frost to get a head start. Oregano seeds are easy to germinate. However, cuttings from an established plant can also be used. After the last spring frost, plant the seeds/cuttings in well-drained soil. The soil temperature should be approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit—plant 8 to 10 inches apart for thin plants. The plants will reach a height of 1 to 2 feet and a width of 18 inches. Oregano is a great plant to grow besides any produce in the garden.

Growing Condition for Oreganos

• The majority of oregano varieties demand full sun; however, the golden oregano variety thrives in partial shade since its leaves burn in direct sunlight.
• Sandy loam is ideal for growing oregano. Oregano will not flourish in heavy organic matter soil as well as lighter, drier, and well-drained soil.
• Allow the soil to dry fully between watering. If growing in containers, use any well-draining potting soil, maybe supplemented with extra sand, perlite, or vermiculite.
• Oregano should not be overwatered. Only water thoroughly when the soil seems dry to the touch.
• After the ground has frozen, cover the plants with an evergreen bough to protect them from wind damage.
• Do not add compost or fertilizer to the area where it is growing. The flavor of this plant can be altered by large quantities of nutrients, such as nitrogen.

How to Care for the Oregano Plants

Allow oregano plants to reach a height of about 4 inches before pinching or lightly trimming to create a denser, bushier plant. Trimming the plant on a regular basis will not only encourage it to branch again but will also prevent it from becoming droopy. Oregano does not require nearly as much water as other herbs. Water when the soil seems dry to the touch. It’s important to remember that it’s best to water deeply and seldom. If you’re using a container, fill it with water until the drainage holes at the bottom of the container are full. Thin out plants that are 3 or 4 years old in the early spring to ensure the greatest quality. Oregano is a self-seeding plant; therefore, it will quickly regrow. If you wish to bring one indoors, split the plants in late spring.

How to Harvest Oregano

Oregano is a resilient perennial herb that might succumb to severe cold during the winter. It’s easy to keep the delicious leaves fresh. When collecting oregano, wait till the dew has dried in the morning. Warm mornings have the highest concentration of essential oils in plants. When the herb is gathered, just as blossom buds are forming, the taste is at its peak. Remove the plant’s stems using scissors or garden shears. Just above a growth node or a group of leaves, cut back. The plant will be able to branch out from the damaged region and produce more delicious leaves as a result. If the stems are covered in dust or debris, simply rinse them. Before drying oregano, shake off any excess moisture.

Drying Oregano and How to Store Them

Oregano is harvested and dried in a variety of ways for preservation. You may dry the entire stem and crumble off the crisp leaves. Bundle the stems together and place them in a dark, dry location to dry oregano. Place a perforated paper bag around the herbs to collect falling leaves and keep dirt and dust at bay. You may alternatively dry the stems in a single layer on food dehydrator trays, or for a more low-tech approach, set them on trays in a warm room for several days. During the drying process, turn the stems many times to equally expose the leaves to air and heat. Remove the leaves for storing after the leaves are dried, and the stems are rigid. Pinch the stem at the bottom and pull up is the easiest method to achieve this. The leaves will easily fall off. The stems are woody and slightly bitter, but they give off an amazing herbaceous scent when burned. The dried stems can also be used in a smoker to flavor meat while it cooks. Before putting the leaves in a container, check them for chaff and stems. To get the most flavor out of oregano, store it in a dark, dry place after drying it and harvesting the leaves. Use airtight plastic containers or glass bottles. The herb’s taste will be ruined by light and air. With the finest flavor and quality, dry oregano can last up to six months.