What is a pizza without oregano? Oregano is the herb of Italian cuisine, loved all over the world. Many people use the dried version, but if you try growing oregano in your garden, we can guarantee it tastes a little extra delicious.
You don't need green fingers to grow oregano. It is relatively easy to look after, and we are sure you will succeed if you follow the guide.
What is the difference between oregano and marjoram?
Many people confuse oregano and marjoram, which makes sense, as the taste and appearance are almost identical. Growing them is largely the same, but we will still briefly go through the difference between the herbs here.
Oregano:
- Strong flavour.
- Tolerates frost and can overwinter.
- Grows to about 30-40 cm tall.
- Has purple or white flowers.
Marjoram:
- Sweet and spicy flavour.
- Does not tolerate frost (an annual herb in the Danish climate).
- Grows to about 30-40 cm tall.
- Has green flowers.
How to grow oregano in the garden
Herbs are rarely what gives us the biggest challenges in the garden – and the same goes for oregano. Like many other herbs, oregano can be sown once the night frosts are completely over, but ideally it should be before June if you want to get the most out of them.
Sow your seeds in rows 20-30 cm apart in a spot with plenty of sun and shelter – for example in a raised bed, which you can move around if you wish. The advantage of oregano is that it does not require anything special from the soil, and it does not need much water either, as it prefers dry soil.
When you start sowing, press the seeds lightly into the soil and then sprinkle a little soil over them. Oregano has a germination time of 10-20 days and can be harvested approx. 2 months after sowing. You should then have fresh oregano all summer.
Tips for growing oregano:
- You can pre-sow oregano on the windowsill from the first month of spring.
- If you want the most flavourful oregano, you should harvest just before the flowers open.
- Make sure the water can drain away – oregano prefers loose, dry soil.
Pruning and caring for oregano
Oregano can be harvested continually, but remember the rule of thumb of harvesting before the flowers open, so you get the most flavour. It is also an advantage to prune the oregano before it flowers, so the leaves keep growing. At the same time, you can prevent the oregano from dropping seeds, which spread uncontrollably in the raised bed.
You can also dry your oregano by cutting small bundles just above the ground and hanging them to dry in an airy place without too much sunlight. Only put it in an airtight container once it is completely dry, so it keeps as well as possible. Then you have spices for the frosty weather, when you cannot pick oregano outdoors.
How to use your home-grown oregano
Not only do home-grown herbs always taste better, they also look lovely – both on the food and in the garden. There can be a bit of work involved in growing your own herbs, but once you get the hang of it, there is nothing nicer than simply opening the patio door and picking what you need.
Use the oregano on pizza, in pasta dishes or in homemade bread. The possibilities are almost endless, and it is simply a matter of trying things out.