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Steps for Growing Oregano

Aparna Jadhav
Oregano is a popular herb which is used as seasoning due to its strong smell and peculiar taste. This section provides the steps on growing this herb at home.
Oregano, or Origanum vulgare, is related to the mint family and belongs to the category of edible herbs. It is a perennial which grows to a height of about 20 to 80 cm, and has 1 to 3 cm long leaves which are placed opposite each other. It has a very strong alkaline pH, which is why it is considered to be edible.
It is often harvested during or slightly before winter. There are various subspecies of this herb which have been developed over the years for variations in flavors and medicinal purposes.

Steps to Grow this Herb
Oregano has a slightly pungent flavor which is obtained from its leaves. The flowers are also edible and have medicinal properties like being antiseptic, diaphoretic, and stimulant among others. It is used for culinary reasons in many international cuisines, majorly in Italian and Middle Eastern foods.
Growing this plant is similar to growing any other herb, depending on the species to be cultivated.

Planting the Seeds

Plant the seeds in tiny pots so that they are not exposed to extreme conditions directly. Prepare the pots with well-drained soil and sprinkle them over it. Don't cover the pots, but water them twice a day and place them near a sunny window till the seeds germinate.

Re-potting

In 5 to 8 days, the seeds will start germinating and tiny shoots grow out of the soil. You can transplant these seedlings in a bigger area or patch of earth. Make sure that there is no frost if you are planting them outside, as they cannot survive in the harsh winter.
Use trays or containers for growing the seedlings and re-pot them using the earlier soil, as these plants are habituated to their home. Make sure that the soil is well drained with medium amount of water, and keep plowing it for better aeration.

Food and Water

Provide the plants with enough sunshine so that they can prepare their own food. Make sure you don't add any external fertilizer, as this can deteriorate the flavor of the herb. Add enough water so that the soil doesn't dry off during the summer and make sure you plow it regularly.

Harvest the Leaves

Once the flowers start to bloom and the plants reach about 5 inches in height, the leaves become thicker and the plant looks denser.
Now, you can pick the leaves and use them for culinary purposes as the flavors are very distinct at this growth phase. Pruning them when they reach a height of 7 inches is also beneficial. Pick the leaves regularly. You can dry them, or crush and store them in bags for future use.
Growing Oregano is not very difficult. You can plant a few seeds of this herb and enjoy their yield all year round.