How to Grow Oregano

Oregano's use originated in herbal medicine to aid in digestion and stimulate the appetite. Growing oregano is a fun and easy way to get started gardening. Oregano is related to the marjoram plant and is very similar to sweet marjoram. It's a very hardy and forgiving herb, which adds flavor and color to any Italian cooking. Here's how to plant and take care of your oregano.

Instructions

1. Decide where you will plant your oregano. Keep in mind that oregano is a deterrent to some types of garden pests and can aid in controlling them naturally. Oregano plants prefer full sun, but can be cultivated in part shade, and will grow in almost any well-drained soil.

2. Choose whether you will start your oregano plants from seed or purchase nursery stock. Oregano is fairly easy to grow from seed and can be left to spread on it's own, so it's more cost-effective to try starting from seed first. If you're apprehensive, purchase nursery stock but be sure to get it from a reputable grower and check the plants for yellowed or insect-damaged leaves.

3. Plant your oregano. Each plant will grow to about 2 feet tall and spread approximately 20 inches. Plant seeds 1/4-inch deep. Plant nursery stock about 18 inches apart. If you have planted from seed, thin established seedlings to 12 inches apart.

4. Harvest your oregano in mid-spring, just before the flowers open, or harvest some as needed for cooking. Cut off the top 6 inches of the stem and remove the leaves. Wash well and roll the leaves into a ball and chop with a small cleaver to add fresh oregano to your meal.

5. Mulch the oregano plant with grass or straw in winter to keep the plant insulated from freezing temperatures. Make sure to remove the mulch in early spring.

6. Propagate oregano in mid-spring by dividing plants during peak growth, before flowers appear.

Tips & Warnings

• To preserve your oregano, harvest it as mentioned in Step 4 but do not remove the leaves. Wash the oregano, then dry it right on the stem in your oven at about 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.

• Choose the location carefully where you plant the oregano since it's a perennial. You won't want to move your plant each year.