Just as growing your own vegetables to cook with, there is nothing quite like growing your own herbs to use to flavor your cooking. If you are a cook who enjoys using herbs in your recipes, consider how much more tasty it will be to add your own freshly grown herbs snipped from pots on your windowsill garden. Among the several species of oregano used in cooking, the one recommended for kitchen use is Origanum heracleoticum. Commercially available dried oregano you purchase at the grocery store may contain any number of species of oregano, but it is the Origanum heracleoticum, Origanum vulgare, which is primarily used for cooking.
Use Origanum heracleoticum for Cooking
Besides being used in cooking, oregano is also a valuable addition to the home medicine cabinet. There are various remedies for treating arthritis, skin rashes, coughs and many more health problems. Knowing oregano will not only make your ailments go away, but it will also delight the palate, as well as the nose, delightfully tasty mac and cheese as well.
Planting Origanum heracleoticum
Location
If you want to grow oregano, as it will thrive in USDA zones from zone 9-11, any soil that has a pH factor of 6.5 to 7.0 is ideal. The plant does not need full sun, and if you want really great oregano, you won’t need to give this herb a whole lot of sun. The oregano herb will do just fine in partial shade, although it will grow more slowly and will have a smaller harvest. This is because of its slow growth. It is also better to plant this herb in loose, well-drained soil. However, the ideal pH for oregano grown in soil is6.0 to 6.5.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate oregano is to starts by stem cuttings. You should make them in late summer. Look for small, stocky plants with five or more leaves. Use cuttings obtained from a reliable source, as your chances of success are better when you get cuttings from a friend or plant nursery.
Growing
Organo will benefit from the addition of compost to the soil. If you use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler for your herb garden, you won’t have to water oregano as often.
Harvesting
Once the herb bushes are established, you can begin harvesting small clusters of oregano leaves for use in your favorite recipes. Herbs lose their flavor as they become dry, so you can always taste the before and after.
Oregano can also be grown as a container herb, for yield later in the season. It’s not necessary to plant a main crop of oregano for this, but it is a good idea to grow a few to have some to show. Once your herb garden takes off, you’ll have a steady supply of oregano leaves to use for your kitchen, plus the rich oils to sell.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of growing oregano are numerous. For example, type of oregano has the most varied of all the known herbs, and some of the most powerful. Oriental is the strongest, and that is also the most widely used. Chinese oregano, however, is fantastic if you’re planning on storing away in the freezer, and it will also work well if you find yourself in a situation where you need an herb with a little more zing.
Growing your own herbs is very rewarding, not only because you’ll end up with oils that can be used cheaply or expensively, but also with the satisfaction of having grown them yourself. It’s a win-win situation.
Mustard and radishes are examples of unprocessed veggies that can be grown in some unexpected places, like a barren desert or four-leaf clover meadow. Carrots, while easy to grow, require you to buy some extra seeds several times during the summer. Growing your own gives you an ample supply of carrots at minimal cost.
monkeys aren’t much help, but they do love carrots. Peas, of course, like well-rotted manure. But that brings in another bonus that no monopodial herb garden can escape: marigolds.
Gardening Short on Planting Space
Perhaps you’re an urban, suburban gardener. You may not have space for a traditional long-row garden. If so, perhaps you want to try your hand at space saving. Tuck your carrots and radishes in interesting-looking clumps. Use odd numbers of plants and repeat them a couple of times a week.
