Growing Oregano

If you are someone who loves sprinkling various kinds of delicious herbs in your food everyday, well, oregano sure should be high on the list! Even though it is easier purchasing a packet of dried oregano from the store, growing oregano can certainly be more fun. Oregano or Origanum vulgare, is related to the mint family and is included in the various types of edible herbs. The plant of oregano is a perennial herb and grows to a height of about 20 to 80 cm, and has 1 to 3 cm long leaves which are placed opposite each other. It has a very strong alkaline pH, which is why it is considered to be an edible herb. Since the oregano herb is perennial in growth, it is often harvested during or slightly before winter. There are various subspecies which are developed over the years, for variations in flavors and medicinal properties. If you wish to learn how to grow oregano, read ahead and find out.

Tips for Growing Oregano

Oregano has a slightly pungent flavor, which is obtained from the leaves of this herb. The flowers are also edible and have medicinal properties like antiseptic, diaphoretic, stimulant, etc. Oregano and oregano oil is used for culinary reasons in many international cuisines, but the most in Italian and Middle Eastern foods. Growing oregano is a similar task to growing any other herb in kitchen gardening, depending on the species you would choose to cultivate. In the paragraphs below, we have a few useful steps that will help you grow this delicious flavored herb, either indoors or outdoors. Take a look.

Planting the Seeds
If you are thinking of growing oregano indoors or outdoors, you will need to plant the herb. Since these herbs grow out of seeds, you need to purchase a packet of oregano seeds and then make arrangements for planting. Make sure you first plant them in tiny pots, so that they are not exposed to extreme conditions directly. Prepare the pots with well drained soil and sprinkle the seeds over it. Don't cover the pots, but water them twice a day and place them near a sunny window till the seeds germinate.

Re-pot the Oregano
In about 5 to 8 days, the seeds will start germinating and you will see tiny shoots growing out of the soil. You can transplant these seedlings in a bigger area or patch of soil either indoors or outdoors. Make sure there is no frost if you are going to plant them outside, as these cannot survive in harsh winters. Use trays or containers for growing oregano and re-pot these seedlings using the earlier soil, as the oregano plants are habituated to their home. Make sure the soil is well drained with medium amount of water, and keep plowing the soil for better aeration.

Food and Water
No life will survive without food and water, therefore, you need to take care of your oregano plants. Provide enough sunshine so that they can prepare their own food. Make sure you don't add any external fertilizer to these plants, as they can deteriorate the flavor of the oregano. Add enough water so that the soil doesn't dry off during the summers and make sure you plow the soil regularly. This will give you a good result, where you can use the oregano benefits.

Harvest the Leaves
Once the flowers start to bloom and the oregano plants reach about 5 inches of height, you will observe the leaves becoming thicker and the plant denser. This is when you can pick the leaves and use them for culinary purposes, as the flavors are very distinct at this growth phase. Pruning the plants when they reach the height of 7 inches is also useful in oregano plant care. Pick the leaves regularly, and you can either dry them, crush and then store them in bags, so that they can be used in the future too.

Also go through these related Buzzle articles on oregano tea and medicinal uses of oregano, for some more useful information. With these easy steps for growing oregano, you can simply plant a few of these seeds and enjoy their yield all round the year. So make arrangements so that you can enjoy delicious meals any time you want!