Herb, Oregano Italian
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Quick Overview
HERB, Italian Oregano –
Origanum vulgare
FULL SUN Native to the Mediterranean and central Asia, Oregano has been cultivated for thousands of years. For centuries it was cultivated for medicinal applications believed to soothe cuts and bites. The 1-2 ft. plants were brought to the US in the 1600s by colonists. Today it is primarily used in tomato sauces, but it also pairs well with eggs, cheese, peppers, potatoes poultry and pork. Plant as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Do not cover seed. Press seed into the soil surface. Rows should be 12 in. apart. When seedlings are 2 in. high, thin, leaving 6 in. between plants. Harvest throughout the season by cutting stems off the plants..
| Type | Spacing | Planting Depth | Days to Germination | Maturity |
| Perennial | 6 in. | soil surface | 5-7 | 90 |
Herb, Italian Oregano
Oregano has been referenced throughout recorded history, but the problem is that there are many oregano cultivars and agricultural historians do not know which cultivars were being referenced in the writings of Gerard, Pliny or Dioscorides. What is known is that the medicinal qualities of oregano are suspect while the herb’s culinary attributes are not.
Oregano and Sweet Marjoram are closely related in taste with Sweet Marjoram being the milder of the two. During the 1700s and 1800s in the US, oregano was rarely referenced in recipes while Sweet Marjoram was frequently mentioned. It was not until after the return of Americans from World War II that oregano rose in popularity. Probably, these soldiers were introduced to the finer culinary aspects of oregano while being stationed in Italy, Spain and Greece.
As a companion plant, oregano enhances the growth of beans.
