Greek Oregano

Description

(Origanum vulgare hirtum) Strongly aromatic and flavourful, dark green leaves, small white flowers. Enjoy on pizza, in egg dishes and in tomato sauces. Native to the Mediterranean region, this plant prefers climates with lower humidity, so keep the foliage and roots away from too much moisture. Give it good air circulation. For that reason, it is perfectly suited for a container. In the ground it makes a ground-cover-like mat.

Full sun to part shade. Plants benefit from afternoon shade in warmest zones. Space plants between 45-60cm apart. Plants grow best in well-drained soil, but can also adapt to other soil types. Keep soil moist after planting until plants are well-rooted. Once established, plants in beds can survive on rainfall. In containers, irrigate whenever soil is dry.

Oregano is perennial but established plants can survive a few hard frosts. Use a frost blanket to protect newly planted seedlings from late spring frosts or prolong the growing season. Watch out for root rot in poorly drained soil, as well as aphids and spider mites. Oregano roots along stems, which means it can easily spread farther than you intended in the garden.

Pick leaves at any point in the growing season, although flavour is most intense just before plants bloom. Snip leafy stems to the length you desire. Don’t cut flush with soil; allow a couple of cm's of stem to remain. Stems will produce new growth from the base of remaining leaves.

Keep Oregano stems in water at room temperature to enjoy fresh clippings for a few days. To store in your refrigerator, wrap unwashed stems in a barely damp paper towel in a loosely closed plastic bag. Use within 7 to 10 days. For longer storage (and stronger flavour), dry leaves.

Seeds/Packet: (min. 50 Seeds)