Oregano

Oregano: The Easy-Peasy Herb for Every Garden! This hardy herb is super versatile and a breeze to grow, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out. It's a kitchen staple that adds a kick to your cooking and is great for attracting pollinators to your garden. Let's dive into the world of growing oregano!

Summary: Growing Oregano

Oregano is a low-maintenance perennial herb that can be grown in the ground, containers or even indoors on a sunny windowsill. Sow seeds indoors in late winter/early spring, or plant cuttings, or young plants in a sunny spot with well-drained soil after the last frosts. Water sparingly, fertilise in spring, and harvest leaves from late spring to autumn, ideally before flowering for the best flavour. Keep an eye out for fungal issues and propagate by cuttings or division. The best soil for oregano is well-drained, and it is not particularly needy in terms of its oregano fertilizer requirements.

Getting Started with Oregano

Growing oregano is a fantastic way to add flavour and fragrance to your garden. It’s a hardy perennial, meaning it’ll come back year after year, which is great for busy gardeners. It's not only a delicious herb for your kitchen but also a haven for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Whether you've got a sprawling garden or just a small balcony, there's a place for oregano. There are lots of types of oregano to choose from - and they all have different nuances of flavour!

Planting Oregano

You've got a few options when it comes to how to grow oregano. You can start from seed, take cuttings, or buy young plants from a garden centre. If starting from seed, sow them indoors in late winter or early spring in seed trays with multi-purpose compost. Keep the compost moist, and once the seedlings are big enough to handle, pot them into individual containers. Before planting them outdoors, you'll need to harden them off, gradually introducing them to outside conditions. Cuttings can be taken in spring or early summer. Place them in a propagator or a pot with a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity until they have rooted. You can also sow seeds directly outdoors in spring if you’re feeling brave! Oregano in garden settings does very well when given space to grow, so be sure to space your plants around 30cm apart.

Oregano Plant Care

The great thing about oregano plant care is that it's minimal. Oregano is drought-tolerant, meaning you don't need to water it constantly. Only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. In the spring, you can give your oregano fertilizer of a general-purpose feed to encourage growth. It is very low maintenance so don't overdo it! Oregano light requirements are full sun, so make sure you plant it in a spot that gets plenty of light. The more sun, the stronger the flavour! Pruning oregano is easy, just snip off the sprigs when you want to use it, this will also encourage the plant to grow more leaves.

Harvesting Oregano

You can start harvesting oregano from late spring to autumn, which is a pretty long season! The best flavour is achieved when you harvest before the plant starts to flower, though don’t worry if you miss a few flowers – it won't affect the plant. You can either pick individual leaves or cut off whole sprigs as required. To dry oregano, hang bunches upside down in a cool, dry place until they're crisp, and then store them in an airtight container.

Common Oregano Problems

Generally, oregano is pest and disease-free, which makes it a very easy plant to grow. However, it can sometimes be affected by fungal diseases if the soil is waterlogged. If this happens, make sure the soil is well-drained and remove any affected leaves. Ensure that you have well drained soil for oregano to prevent these problems.

Oregano Varieties

There are lots of types of oregano to choose from, all with slightly different flavours. Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) is a strong, pungent variety, perfect for Mediterranean dishes. Italian oregano (Origanum x majoricum) is milder and slightly sweeter. Golden oregano (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum') is a golden-leaved variety with a mild flavour and will brighten up any garden. Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is a close relative, with a sweeter flavour and is very similar to oregano in appearance, and care.

More on Growing Oregano

Oregano is a wonderful herb to grow and has many uses in the kitchen. Its flavour is stronger when dried, so you can harvest lots and store it for when you need it most. You can grow oregano indoors as well, as long as it gets plenty of sunlight, perfect for a sunny windowsill. Oregano is also a great oregano companion plant, it helps repel common garden pests. So, whether you’re growing oregano for its culinary or ecological benefits, it’s a fantastic addition to any garden.

So, that’s all there is to it! Growing oregano is simple and rewarding. Have fun and happy gardening!