As legend has it , Aphrodite , the Greek Goddess of dearest , planted oregano on Mt. Olympus . As a upshot , marjoram became a symbolic representation of honey , which is why it ’s often used in Greek and Italian weddings . I reckon that ’s meet , given that growing oregano is a joyfulness . It makes a pretty add-on to the garden , and it ’s indispensable in cooking .
Oregano is well know as a basic in Mediterranean sauces , peculiarly those that are tomato based . My agnatic grandparents both immigrate as young children from Italy in the early 1900s , so I was arouse on delectable Italian dish that sport oregano .
My grandmother used to make delightful oregano - herbed rolls . Oregano also works nicely with meat dishes such as baked fish and grilled lamb , and in veggie entree like baked courgette .
Oregano has Olea europaea colored leaves and produces spikey purple flowers on taller smorgasbord . Smaller plants often have flowers in whorls . The stems and leave may be cover with a wooly looking copper . No matter what sort of flowers they have , all oregano plants pull in bees and butterflies .
Varieties
Oregano ( Origanum vulgare)is part of the plenty sept . It is from the Mediterranean region of Europe which do sense ease up its popularity in Italian and Hellenic dishes . It is nearly related to wild Origanum vulgare ( Origanum marjorana ) , and the two sometimes get put off .
There are many race and unlike varieties of marjoram . According to theHerb Societyof America , there are 44 species , 6 subspecies , 3 motley , and 18 naturally occurring hybrids . face for those that are time - tested for culinary use if you plant to cook with your oregano .
Greek Oregano
Greek Origanum vulgare ( Origanum heracleoticum)is the standard culinary variety . It has a strong , sweet pungent smell . It ’s a humbled rise form with white flowers . You may see this have-to doe with to as Mediterranean oregano .
Italian Oregano
Italian oregano ( Origanum . majoranaandOriganumvulgare ) is milder tasting than Greek oregano . It has white or pink flower and grows in a large clod that is two feet high and a foot and a half all-inclusive . It does n’t do cold well and is hardy in zone 6 - 9 .
Turkish Oregano
Also have a go at it as Cretan oregano ( Origanum onites ) , this variety is used for both culinary and decorative purposes . It ’s tall , growing up to two feet in zones 5 - 9 . The flower pull bees and butterflies .
Dittany of Crete
Dittany ( Origanum dictamnus ) is the variety most often associated with herbal medicinal drug and has a menthol odor . It ’s short , at six inch tall , and prefers tender weather . It also does well as a potted works that you’re able to bring indoors for the winter .
Mexican Oregano
Mexican oregano ( Lippia graveolens ) is not true oregano , but I include it since you could deputize it in any stunner requiring oregano . It is actually concern to Citrus limon verbena , and as such , it has the mordacious overtones of winter sweet with a piece of a citrus feel .
Planting Oregano
Species come in a mixed bag of heights and conditions tolerance , and their requirements can vary , so ante up attention to the needs of the type you purchase .
Soil Requirements
Oregano is aboriginal to mountain areas with shallow , slightly acidic soil . It prefers a pH between 6.0 - 8.0 . you may place wood ash tree around oregano plant in the wintertime to help bring down the dirt acidity if you need to .
Oregano prefers dirt that run out well . Sandy loam is perfect . If you have heavy clay like I do , then you may plant your herbs in a raised bed . I have a raised garden that holds marjoram and thyme in the front with taller salvia in the back because they have similar grow need .
The advantage of growing oregano in a fire layer is that you may custom mix the soil . For my herb seam that hold oregano , thyme , and sage , I have a mix of native ground , sand , compost with a duo shovels of pea plant gravel to improve drain .
Sun and Temperature Requirements
Oregano is a perennial , but it will act like an annual in cooler regions . Most varieties are hardy in zones 5–10 and prefer full sun to partial shade .
I am in zona 6 , and I have growing oregano outdoors in my herb garden and in my nursery . The advantage of arise in my greenhouse is that sometimes a frigid wintertime will pink out my outside plants . I do n’t heating system , or even fill up up my greenhouse all the way during the winter , but it still produce a hospitable microclimate for overwintering herb and greens .
This method also consecrate me fresh leaves to habituate for winter stews and roasted root vegetables .
Planting Divisions
Planting can be set out from unmediated seeding in the garden . you could transplant seedlings you have produce or purchased . you may also divide plants and get some root from a garden ally .
To divide oregano , take a digger and edit out a box of the plant . You need your division to contain both antecedent and stem . If the weather is warm , it ’s also helpful to have some green foliage .
Plant your divisions in your garden as you would any other transplant .
Direct Seeding
If you are direct seeding , localise the seeds on top of lately turned ground . Next tap them into place , so they are just under the topsoil ’s crust . Sprinkle some dampened loss soil on top of them , so they are about 1/4 inch deep .
When arise oregano from seed , cautiously check into the seed ’s variety and growing necessity . Not all seeds grow true to typecast so buy from a reputable fellowship .
Starting Indoors
When bulge oregano indoors , use a light seed begin mix that contains vermiculite . Tap the seeds mildly into the mix and cover lightly . Place your pots in a whole tray and urine from the bottom .
Oregano will germinate quickly ( 4 - 5 solar day ) if the temperature is above 70 ° atomic number 9 . you may use a heating system Master of Arts in Teaching to help with germination if your grow room is chilly .
I set about my herb in peat pots since many cultivars do not like being transfer . At planting time I gently take out the bottom of the lot and home in the mess .
Purchasing Transplants
you’re able to unremarkably buy oregano plants at your local garden storage . One advantage of this is that you could give it the smell test . One disadvantage is that they will most likely have only one variety for cut-rate sale .
smell the plants will avail you ascertain if it will meet your needs . For case , if you are look for a culinary herb to make sauces , you may need a mixture that smell sweet . If you are reckon for one to utilize a medicinal herb , then you need one that smell acerbic .
Transplanting
works oregano after the last frost engagement for your area when seedlings are about 3 inches tall . If your seedlings have been in a grow room or greenhouse , ensure to harden them off for about a week first .
Spacing
Give growing oregano 6 - 12 inches between plant and 12 - 18 inches between rows , calculate on the variety .
Containers
Oregano does well incontainers , which is perfect if you dwell in an urban area or you desire to get them in the theater over the wintertime . Some varieties such as ‘ Kent Beauty ’ look great in a hanging hoop .
Remember that plants in containers or basketball hoop often need more fertilizer . They have less infinite to develop in and less soil from which to pucker nutrient .
CaringFor Your Oregano
Watering
Oregano is not a athirst flora , and it absolutely take well - drained stain . Wait until the ground is juiceless before watering . design to give about an inch a workweek during dry spell .
Fertilizer
Oregano does not need even doses of fertilizer . It does well with an yearly program of two inches of compost . If your foliage start turning yellow , try spraying with some Pisces emulsion .
Mulching
Growing oregano does n’t need a dense much . Remember that it does n’t like dampness and mulch like shuck retains moisture . Pebble or pea plant crushed rock is a better selection if you want to suppress sess .
Pruning
The center of your growing oregano industrial plant may become chocolate-brown and dried up . This can happen every few years , particularly with container or bed works . At this degree , you want to divide the plant .
Using a nigga simply cut the industrial plant in half . tote up compost into the hole you create when removing half of the plant . Take the other half and replant in another locating or share with a friend .
Problems and Solutions to Growing Oregano
Oregano is comparatively problem free because its pungent crude tend to ward off pestilence . The biggest care is fungal diseases . The best precautions are not to overwater and to have plants in a location with good strain circulation .
Mint Rust
Mint rust is a fungus that reckon like little orange spot on leaves . It can cause leaves to rick brown and drop curtain . The best way to control mint rusting is to avoid it . Keep plants pruned and well - space , so they get deal of air and invalidate overhead irrigation . Keep your garden well weeded and body of water in the morning , so moisture has time to dry off . you may also rationalize off infect offshoot and put down them .
Botrytis Rot
Also be intimate asgray rot , this fungus can spread through a garden rapidly . Plants may be cover in a gray mold and can shrivel up and break . Treat it as you do mess rust .
Aphids
There ’s hardly any plant safe from this tiny pest . Aphids suck the juice out of flora , but the biggest problem is that they leave behind a secernment called honeydew that can encourage the growth of mold . employ neem oil to control them .
Cutworms
Cutworms nibble through plant life at the soil line . To control , use a cardboardplant collar , spread diatomaceous world around plants and keep weed at bay .
Thrips
Thrips can color and discolor leaves . These insects can also communicate computer virus . Control them with neem oil .
Spider Mites
Spider mites are a vulgar garden blighter . They can cause leaves to yellow and drop off the works , and you in all probability wo n’t notice them until they ’ve done some damage . Look for webbing and tiny small arachnids moving on leaves . you’re able to shell them off your industrial plant with a strong nebuliser of water . ascendence with neem oil .
Companions for Oregano
Oregano is a great familiar plant for many vegetable because it can help discourage cuss .
Avoid produce oregano near garlic or onion if you have a trouble with thrip .
Harvesting and Storing Oregano
Pruning and harvesting go script in hand . When you harvest , remove sprigs or small branches . This acts like pruning and advance new outgrowth . Harvest before the peak bloom for the best flavor .
wrapping leaves in a dampish paper towel and store in the icebox for a week . you’re able to also freeze the leaves . slay the leave from the prow and wash and dry them . Place them in a formative bag and press out all the atmosphere and put in your freezer where they wo n’t get dash .
Dried oregano is a ready to hand staple to keep around . draw a crew of halt together and advert them upside down to dry .
Oregano as Herbal Medicine
Oregano has long been used inherbal medicinal drug . The renowned Ancient Grecian physician Hippocrates named and name oregano in his work . Hippocrates used oregano as an antiseptic . Other uses from ancient times let in treating GI problems and menstrual cramps .
The potent odour of oregano is make by the essential oil carvacrol . Carvacrol is a creosote - scented compound that has antibacterial and anti - fungal equipment characteristic . In summation , carvacrol is full of healthy antioxidants .
Recently scientific studies have shown that oregano hasantimicrobial activitythat kills food pathogen such as Listeria .
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