Growing Herbs In Your Own Home, Part IV: Oregano

Oregano–who hasn’t cooked with this herb?  Everyone knows at least one or two dishes that just aren’t the same without that little (or big!) dash of oregano, right?  What everyone doesn’t know, is that oregano is one of the easiest herbs to grow, both indoors and outside.

A native of the Mediterranean region, this herb is most commonly used to season Greek, Italian, and Spanish foods.  It delivers a strong kick of flavor and is also high in antioxidants, which help maintain health and can contribute to the prevention of diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease.  An easy to grow, healthy for you, flavor-enhancing herb?  What are you waiting for?  Start growing!

Easy To Grow Guidelines:

• I know many of us are tempted to nurse plants back to health, but in this case, it’s best to start with a healthy plant.  Make sure its leaves are green and full.

• Chose a pot that is porous to allow for good circulation and a drainage hole in the bottom.

• To ensure good water drainage, I suggest layering the bottom of the pot with stones or marbles.  Fill with a nutrient rich potting soil–don’t skimp!  Mix sand into the soil as well, to increase water drainage.

• When you first pot your oregano plant, water pretty often, keeping the soil damp at all times.  As time goes by, lessen your watering to once a week.  Continue to monitor your soil, and if you see that it is “shrinking” from the sides of the pot, that means you need to increase your watering rate.  Every home is slightly different, so it’s important to tailor your watering schedule to your specific plant and your home.

• Position your oregano plant near a window where it can receive at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day.  As with most indoor plants, fluorescent light can be used to supplement sunlight, but indirect sunlight is definitely preferred.  Direct sunlight can overheat the oregano, so be sure it is only receiving indirect light.

• Rotate your oregano plant to be sure it gets adequate lighting and grows evenly.  If your plant begins to “reach” towards its light source, that means it’s not getting enough light.  Schooch it a bit closer and you should see it return to even, bushy growth.

• Fertilize once a month with a liquid all-purpose fertilizer.  As with most indoor plants, use half the concentration that the directions suggest.

• When it’s time to harvest (which is pretty much year round when growing indoors), as stated previously with other herbs, be gentle.  Don’t tug, snip the leaves.  You can mix them in any recipe either fresh, or dried, to add a pungent kick!

Soon enough, the weather will warm up enough that we can start grilling again outside!  In preparation, below is a favorite recipe for grilling!  Until next time, take care and happy gardening!

Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Packs: