how to plant greek oregano

How to Cultivate Oregano

Soil: Plant oregano in light, well-drained soil. ...
Sun: Oregano performs well in part to full sun, but the flavors intensify when it receives a full day of sunshine. ...
Water: Don't overwater oregano. ...
Spacing: Plant oregano eight to 10 inches apart in your garden.

Does Greek oregano need full sun?

Oregano loves the sun, so ensure that your placement has full, strong sun for strong flavor. Some folks plant later in the season for assured warm weather. However, for a head start, plant the seeds/cuttings 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost.

How long does Greek oregano take to grow?

Seeds will germinate in about two weeks. Greek oregano can really be harvested anytime once the plant reaches 6 inches (15 cm.) tall, but if you're seeking the most intense flavor, you will want to harvest your oregano right before the blooms appear in mid-summer.

How big does a Greek oregano plant grow?

Oregano is a loose, open plant growing from six inches to two feet tall with gray-green leaves and small purple or white flowers.

Does Greek oregano grow back?

A majority of herbs are perennials throughout most of the United States. That means they come back year after year and usually get bigger or spread in territory each year. Some of our most-used cooking herbs are perennials, including sage, oregano and thyme.

Is Greek oregano a perennial?

Although oregano thrives in a warm climate, it is a hardy perennial that returns year after year, without much work. A couple of my oregano plants are almost 10 years old, and they have withstood many a snowstorm and still continue to produce healthy, vibrantly colored leaves.

What can I plant next to oregano?

Oregano. In the garden: Good companion to all vegetables. Grows well with: Basil, chives, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme. In the kitchen: Good in any tomato dish.

Should you let oregano flower?

As with most herbs, oregano leaves taste best before the plant flowers. The flowers should be pinched to keep the plants bushy and prevent it from bolting to seed. ... Cutting stems all the way back to the ground will encourage more stems from the base and a fuller plant.

How do you harvest oregano so it keeps growing?

Use scissors or garden shears to remove stems from the plant. Cut back to just above a growth node or set of leaves. This will allow the plant to branch from the cut area and produce more flavorful leaves. Rinse the stems lightly if there is dust or mulch on them.

Is oregano easy to grow?

An Easy to Grow, Fragrant Addition to the Kitchen Garden

It's not particular about soil, and it can withstand drought, heat, and even fairly cold temperatures. Trim it up to encourage bushiness, and watch out for a few little pests. That's all there is to it. Do you have oregano growing in your garden?

What's the difference between oregano and Greek oregano?

Despite the shared name and similar flavors, these are two completely different species. ... Oregano from these areas is robust in flavor, though different varieties may be more bitter, sweet, or peppery than others. Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder and Turkish is more pungent.

Is Greek oregano invasive?

Formerly listed botanically as Origanum heracleoticum, Greek Oregano is one very spicy herb. It's parent Origanum vulgaris, a culinary zero, is often commercially grown and offered as Greek Oregano. O. vulgaris, often known as Wild Marjoram, is an extremely invasive plant with a pink flower.

Will Rosemary come back every year?

Rosemary is a wonderful herb. ... Either grow rosemary as an annual or bring it in about mid- to late-November and winter it over. If the plant is too big, make cuttings in late summer and winter over the much smaller cuttings instead of the mother plant.

What herbs will grow back every year?

The 9 Best Perennial Herbs for Your Garden

Mint.
Greek Oregano.
Thyme.
Chives.
Winter Savory.
Rosemary.
Sage.
French Tarragon.

Where should I plant my herb garden?

Pick a Location. Pick the location for your herb garden. An ideal location would be a few steps from your kitchen, but any spot that gets about six hours of sun a day is good. If you have space in front of a kitchen window, plant the herbs in small containers for an indoor garden.

Does lavender grow back every year?

Lavenders require an annual prune to increase longevity, stimulate new flowers and slow down the woody growth at the base. Lavenders are perennial sub shrubs which retain a woody base all year round. If you prune the lavender too harshly at the end of the Summer or in the Spring then the lavender may not come back.

Can Greek oregano survive winter?

Cold-hardy herbs, such as chives, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme, can often survive cold-winter temperatures while continuing to produce flavorful foliage, as long as they are provided with some protection or grown indoors.

What can I do with Greek oregano?

Greek oregano is a necessity on grilled meats, kabobs and lamb. With notes of pine and mint, its spicy flavor enhances tomato sauce and vegetable stews. Try it on a quick egg scramble, first sauteing a chopped tomato in a tablespoon of Greek olive oil. Add eggs, sprinkle with crumbled Greek oregano and cook.

What is Greek oregano good for?

Fresh oregano is a great antibacterial agent. It has phytonutrients (thymol and carvacrol), which fight infections such as staph. It's loaded with antioxidants that help prevent cell damage, and it's an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin E, tryptophan and calcium. You go, oregano!

What herbs Cannot be planted together?

You can grow herbs in pots together as long as you remember two rules: avoid mixing those that like plenty of water (such as chives, mint, chervil, coriander, Vietnamese coriander) with those that like a well-drained soil (such as rosemary, thyme, sage, bay, and oregano).

Can oregano be planted with tomatoes?

Chives, Oregano, Cilantro, Mint, Basil, and Parsley all grow well as a companion to tomatoes. Some such as the Basil and Chives are said to enhance the flavor of the actual fruits as well but most all of these help deter harmful pests (such as aphids, certain beetles, etc.) while also helping attract beneficial bugs.

What should you not plant together?

What Plants Should Not Be Planted Together?

Asparagus.
Beans.
Beets.
Broccoli.
Cabbage.
Cucumbers.
Peas.
Soybeans.