What's Growing

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Oregano grows as a woody, shrub-like herb with multibranched square stems. The shrub grows about three feet high. With small, dark green arrow-shaped leaves with a fuzzy texture, oregano is a part of the mint family, Lamiaceae.

Harvesting

You can begin harvesting oregano when the stems are around four inches tall. For full maturity, allow the stems to grow 8 inches tall and for a full harvest, prune two-thirds of the plant. To allow for regrowth, do not harvest more than one third of the plant at one time. Choose stems at least 6-8 inches tall. Like other herbs, pruning encourages new growth.

Uses

With a earthy flavor, oregano is used in a variety of dishes from rubs, seasoning, and garnishes to sauces and pastes like pesto! A warming herb, oregano brings heat to skin and aids in alleviating inflammation.