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Greek Oregano ( Origanum vulgare var. hirtum) is a subspecies of common oregano, with a much stronger flavour and fragrance. Graced with beautiful white flowers, Greek Oregano is said to have been invented by the Grecian goddess of love, Aphrodite herself! This myth led to the Greek tradition of crowning newly married couples with wreaths of the herb. The term ‘oregano’ can be translated loosely from Greek as ‘joy of the mountains’, a fitting name for a plant found in the naturally rocky habitat of its homeland. Over the centuries, culinary and medicinal uses of oregano spread from Europe to China via the ‘spice road’, before reaching the New World thanks to the American soldiers who discovered it during the Italian Campaign.
LATIN NAME
Origanum vulgare
NAME
Oregano
VARIETY
Greek
QUANTITY
1000 seeds
PLANT SIZE
Height40 cm
Width20 cm
CONTAINER SIZE
Height20 cm
Width20 cm
COMPANION PLANT
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basils, lavender, thyme.
SOWING
IndoorFeb-Mar
OutdoorApr-June
TIMING
Germination7-15 days
Harvesting40-60 days
SPACING
When sowing1-2 cm; Depth 0,5 cm
When thinning3-5 cm
GROWING
SunligthFull sun.
SoilWell-drained, light and poor soil.
WateringRegular watering, not overdone.
FeedingAddition of fertilizer is not necessary.
CARING
Expert tipOregano is a perennial herb, which means that it comes back year after year without much work. Cut the branches down to the ground at the end of the season and cover it in order to give it an early start in spring.
SUPPORTING
Pollinators
Attracts bees, butterflies.
Pests
Attracts flower flies, which are a natural predator for aphids
HARVESTING
Pinch out small branches as you need them. To achieve optimum potency, harvest the leaves just before the plant flowers.
EATING
Medicinal propertiesOregano is an all-round antiseptic, acting against bacteria, viruses and fungi.
How to eatThere is a long-standing debate in Italy that is yet to be resolved: is it right to put oregano on pizza or not? De gustibus non est disputandum! Personally, we prefer the lighter flavoured fresh oregano, which is wonderful in tomato- and meat-based recipes, although many enjoy the stronger, more pungent dried oregano on their margheritas!
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Type: Garden