Greek Oregano Herbs Seeds - West Coast Seeds

PRODUCT DETAILS

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum. Greek oregano seeds offer the best, most pungently flavored oregano leaves for cooking. Plants are very hardy when established and impart a wonderful wild mountain aroma in the garden with their tiny white or pink flowers. Bees adore oregano when it is in bloom. Germination may be slow, so be patient. Oregano is one of the best herbs for drying because it maintains a strong flavor for months after harvest. Pick and dry whole stalks or whole plants - hang them upside down in an airy place out of direct sunlight. Once the plants are completely dry, they can be stored in open plastic bags. Otherwise, pull off the leaves and store them in sealed jars.

Greek oregano pairs brilliantly with meats, eggs, and roasted vegetables like zucchini and eggplant.

• Best leaves for cooking
• Hardy when established
• Attracts pollinators
• Tiny white flowers
• Great in containers

All About Greek Oregano

Latin

Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum ‘Greek’

Family: Lamiaceae

Difficulty

Easy

Season & Zone

Season: Warm season

Exposure: Full sun

Zone: Hardy to Zone 5

Timing

Start indoors in plug trays from late winter to mid-spring. Starting indoors is more reliable than direct sowing. Use bottom heat to achieve a constant soil temperature of 15°C (60°F) for best results. Germination occurs in 7 to 14 days.

Starting

Oregano seeds are dust-like, so handle them with care. Prepare containers or plug trays using sterilized seed starting mix, and water the soil. Then try to evenly distribute the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil. Do not bury them. Using bottom heat will improve the overall success rate. As seedlings grow, keep soil on the dry side. Pot on as necessary or transplant to the garden in late spring to early summer.

Growing

Grow in a sunny and warm spot. Aim for 25cm (10″) between plants. Cut plants back after flowering to prevent them from getting straggly. As autumn approaches, divide some to bring inside over winter. Cut back the year’s growth to about 6cm (2½”) from the soil.

Harvest

Pick the leaves throughout the season as needed. Oregano leaves can be dried or frozen. Store dried leaves or whole stalks in airtight containers away from bright light.

Companion Planting

Oregano is particularly good for repelling cabbage moths, and it can be planted between rows of Brassicas for this purpose. Also good around asparagus and basil. When in bloom, oregano is highly attractive to pollinators.