Have you been thinking of growing oregano in your garden? Then you are in the right place I will show you how easy it is to grow & harvest! Oregano has high amounts of carvacrol which gives this herb it’s power house benefits! I use it in meals its highly aromatic and a little goes a long way (pozole, salsa) It’s also incredibly immune boosting! We drink it in teas when fighting off colds & bugs. As an antibacterial it aids in fighting infections, and is even said to prevent cell damage. Oregano is antioxidant rich and a powerful anti fungal when used as a topical oil as well. Have I convinced you to grow it yet?
Growing oregano in the garden is simple. It’s a very forgiving herb that is not needy at all! Oregano comes in all kinds of varieties. From larger leaves to variegated. There is so many to pick from. I have been growing Greek oregano which is one of the most common. Recently I’ve added variegated oregano & a big leaf variety that I lost the name tag to, oops. They all have a distinct flavor profiles, play around with them and see which one suits your taste buds!
Propagating oregano
For Mexicans oregano plants are like a heirloom, even if people don’t care for a garden you can bet they have a pot with oregano somewhere! Its very easy to take cuttings from an established plant. Find a stem that is healthy and make the cut above a node (look for a set of leaves). To propagate you simply put a few 4-6 in. fresh stems in water or soil and within some weeks new roots will appear. Once enough roots appear place in soil and maintain moist for the first few weeks. Tapering off watering once its established.
Starting oregano seeds
If you choose to start seeds instead of buying a small plant or cuttings. Seeds can be started 6-8 weeks before your last frost if you’re in a colder climate. Use a seed starting mix which is fluffy and will let the seeds germinate quickly. Pre moisten the mix before using it and fill a small pot with drain holes. Placing a few seeds and covering the top with a plastic wrap or a greenhouse lid. Once the seeds emerge they need to be uncovered and placed into either a grow light or by a sunny window. This will prevent them from getting leggy. Once plants have their first set of leaves give them some plant food of your choice. I like to stick to natural fish emulsion or Arber’s plant food. Give your oregano a new pot once its 2-3 tall with regular potting soil. After your last frost you can begin taking your plant outside gradually. Start with placing it a few hours in the shade and then transitioning to a few hours in the sun for a few days so it can acclimate to the weather. Finally give your oregano its big home, a medium size pot will do and you can always up pot later.
Growing guide
I’ve always grown my oregano in containers, just so I can control the size and not have it take over a whole garden bed. Place it in a location that gets full sun to partial shade if you get too hot in the summer. Watering depends on several factors such as climate but a good rule of thumb is to let the soil dry out between watering. This is a herb that can withstand drought better than most and doesn’t enjoy having “wet feet” too long. Choose a soil that drains well to avoid root rot. Oregano plants are a perennial in zones 5-10. That simply means that they will come back year after year. In zone 9b my plant stays green all through winter but growth slows. Growth starts back up when the weather has warmed in the spring. It looks lovely as it trails over the pots!
How to harvest oregano
Oregano loves a good haircut and comes back fuller the more you harvest. To harvest simply find a set of leaves and follow it down the stem leaving a few set of leaves behind. The set of leaves left behind contain a node that will come back with new growth making a bushier plant. For the best tasting oregano harvest before the plant starts flowering in the summer.
My go to for preserving is harvesting and drying. I don’t have a dehydrator so I just let it sit in a basket ( I cover with a thin paper towel) Within a few weeks it will be dry you can remove stems & store. Oregano keeps its properties even when dry which is great to keep a stash in your pantry. You can also use it fresh to add some flavor to your dishes. It’s so convenient to have it at your doorstep!
I hope oregano makes it into your spring garden this year. I love a plant that is so versatile and medicinal!
Happy growing !
-Tahiri
