Tips on how to grow Oregano from seed to harvest

This plant known as Oregano is from the mint family. This particular plant is a signature flavor of many Mexican, Italian, and Spanish dishes. Without been told this plant is a hardy perennial plant that is easy to grow in the home garden. The plant leaves are oval, dark green and in opposite pairs. There are some Oregano varieties that have fuzzy leaves, others are not. This particular plant starts out as a ground-hugging rosette of leaves, but they can easily grow to about two feet tall. The botanical name of this plant is called Origanum. The common name is Oregano. This plant is a Perennial and the mature size is about two feet tall. Oregano need to be planted in full sun. the soil type should be Light, sandy loam. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The bloom time for this plant is summer. Oregano flower colors are white, pink, purple. Oregano plant is a native to the Mediterranean and West Asia.

Tips on how to grow this plant

This particular plant is one of those Mediterranean herbs that grows well in well-drained soil, on the lean side, and full sun. The pungency of the flavor of this plant can be diluted by rich soil. Again the climate, the soil, and the moisture can cause variation in the oregano’s flavor. This plant is native to the Mediterranean and West Asia, although it has naturalized in many areas, including the eastern United States.

The Light requirement for the plant

Like I said earlier some of the Oregano varieties need full sun, although the golden Oregano variety really does best in partial shade. The plant leaves tend to scorch in full sun.

The soil requirement for the plant

The best suited soil for Oregano plant is sandy loam. By peradventure if the soil is moist with a lot of organic matter, the plant will not perform as well as it does in lighter soil. The fact is that light soil is typically fairly well drained.

The water requirement for the plant

Make sure you don’t overwater the Oregano plant. But you can water thoroughly only when the soil has dry to the touch.

The Temperature and Humidity requirement

This particular plant may actually need some winter protection in hardiness zones 5 and lower. If you actually cover the Oregano plants with an evergreen bough after the ground has frozen, this will really help to protect the plant from wind damage.

The fertilizer application

Oregano plant will grow in soil that is only moderately fertile. Make sure you don’t add compost and fertilizer to its growing area. From my little experience large amounts of nutrients, like nitrogen, can really change the flavor of the herb.

The propagating of Oregano plant

You can actually start Oregano plants from seeds, divisions, or cuttings. Starting this plant from seed actually require some light to germinate, make sure you cover slightly with soil. You can start the seeds indoors and then transplant when the temperatures remain above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
This particular plants are widely available in nurseries and through specialty catalogs. Also catalogs tend to offer the widest variety of Oregano plants. The plant can be divide simply to make more plants. You can divide plants when the centers begin to die out or the stems become too woody.

How to harvest Oregano plant

Oregano plant is like most herbs, the leaves of Oregano really taste best before the plant flowers. Make sure the flowers is pinched to keep the plants bushy and to prevent it from bolting to seed. Actually the plant flowers stalks are spiky and may be white, pink, or purple in color. The Oregano plant can be harvested when the plants have reached four to five inches in height. You can cut the sprigs for use. If you actually cut the stems all the way back to the ground it will encourage more stems from the base and a fuller plant. At times the stems tend to get woody and one of the easiest way to strip the leaves is to hold the stem by the top, uncut end and run your finger down the stem.
This plant is actually bothered by few pest, although make sure keep an eye out for aphids and spider mites.
Starting a commercial Oregano farming can be very profitable if it is done in a proper way. To get a step by step guide on how to start commercial Oregano farming you can purchase the book on AMAZON store. To purchase the Oregano cultivation book click the book below.