Oregano is a Mediterranean herb we all know and love – pizza certainly wouldn’t be the same without it.

You might not know that oregano was originally used as a medicinal plant before the culinary world claimed it as their own. The oil made from oregano has been known to relieve stomach upsets, prevent bloating, and help with respiratory difficulties and even sea sickness! The ancient Greeks even believed it was an antidote to poisons.

From a health perspective, oregano is a good source of fibre, calcium, iron, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids, along with antioxidants. No matter what your reason for wanting it, oregano is a must have in any garden.

When to grow oregano

Being a Mediterranean plant, oregano likes a warm, dry climate and will germinate from seed in soil temperatures of 15-25°C or 59–77°F. For this reason, the ideal time to be planting seeds is spring, so it can establish itself before dying back in winter (or in the heat of summer, if you get those extremes). Even when it dies back, you can still use the plant; it just won’t be as lush and green as it is in ideal times.

Oregano varieties

There isn’t a huge amount of oregano varieties, but there are a few options for you to choose from:

· Italian – the most used variety – a sure fire classic

· Greek – similar to Italian but slightly stronger and more pungent

· Marjoram – yes this commonly known herb is also a type of oregano and tastes similar to the Greek variety

· Golden – cold-tolerant variety with yellow-green leaves

· Za’atar – a popular Syrian oregano that has a zesty flavour

How to grow oregano from seeds

Oregano can be direct sown into a garden bed or raised in seed trays before transplanting.

As a member of the mint family, oregano is a perennial and can become a ground cover which takes over an area that you plant it in, so you want to consider your location carefully.

Raised garden beds are perfect for growing oregano in, as they ensure good drainage, containment, and you can fill them with quality soil. Birdies garden beds [ Birdies Australian website- use code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. (If you’re in the USA, click here and use code SSME2020 for 5% off)] are Mark’s raised beds of choice.

Oregano loves full sun but will tolerate part shade if necessary. Sow the seeds around 5mm or around quarter of an inch and cover them over with soil before giving them a light water. Continue to water frequently to keep the soil moist but not wet. Seedlings will begin to emerge around 7-14 days after planting.

How to grow oregano from seedlings

Oregano is a hardy plant that traditionally grows on the sides of mountains. It is very efficient at taking the nutrients it needs from the soil. For this reason, you can plant it in poorer quality soil than most other herbs and vegetables and it can still do well as long as it has good drainage. When planting out seedlings, ensure you allow room to spread as it will take up the area you allow for it.

Keeping up the water to your oregano is vital to keep it looking lush and green but don’t overwater it, as oregano doesn’t enjoy having ‘wet feet’. As Mark explains in his video “5 Top Tips How to Grow a TON of Oregano in Containers” it’s a good idea to give it a good haircut in winter and then fork the soil to break up any compaction and allow for better drainage and water absorption.

How long does oregano take to grow?

Oregano is technically mature around 85-100 days after germination however, you are able to start harvesting small amounts before that.

When to harvest oregano

Once the plant has plenty of healthy stems and leaves, you can start harvesting whenever you need to use it. Simply use a pair of scissors to cut the stems just above a set of leaves as that will encourage new growth.

The leaves will be most flavourful first thing in the morning.

Mark’s top tips for growing oregano

Cut back or prune often to encourage bushier and lush growth. You can use the offcuts fresh or dry them and make your own dry herb mix. You may also want to check out Mark’s video “5 Top Tips How to Grow a TON of Oregano in Containers” for more tips.