Greek Oregano Seeds
Originally native to Greece and the Mediterranean region, Greek oregano has distinctive aromas, with a stronger, more pungent flavour than common oregano. The Greeks consider this variety to be of higher quality and it is quite popular in Greek cuisine. The plants will reach 12 to 24 inches with small, oval, grey-green leaves and bear little white or pink flowers during the summer. Greek oregano is quite tough in the garden. The plants love full sun exposure, are heat and drought resistant and they can be overwintered in Canada in zone 6 or above or with a little protection from the elements. Greek oregano is the perfect variety to add to Greek salads and souvlakis.
– Latin Name: Origanum vulgare hirtum
– Life Cycle: Perrenial
– Canada Hardiness Zone: 6-9
– Days to Maturity: 45
– Planting Depth: 3-4 mm
– Plant Spacing: 20-25 cm
– Growth Habit: 30-60 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
A staple in pizza parlors and Italian eateries everywhere, oregano has an extremely robust taste and offers many health benefits as well.
Start oregano seeds indoors about 4 weeks before the last frost date. Soil at a temperature of 21 degrees will aid in germination. You should see sprouts in about 10 to 15 days. Seed can be sown outdoors on the average last frost date of the spring, when soil temperatures are 7 degrees or warmer. Plant seeds at a shallow depth of 3 mm and carefully water in.
After germination, thin plants to 20-25 cm apart. Plenty of water will be important until the oregano is firmly established, then water sparingly. Oregano can be fed a couple of times a year with a compost tea or liquid seaweed.
It’s a good practice to consistently pinch back the foliage to promote a bushy growing habit. Also, clip out the flowers when they appear, as their development will detract from the flavour of the leaves.
During the hot summer months, oregano plants will respond well to being cut back nearly to the ground. This will encourage plenty of new, fresh growth. The bushy plants will also benefit from a thin layer of mulch around their base, retaining moisture and preventing the roots from overheating.
An abundance of pungent oregano leaves, fresh and dried, will be sure to perk up many meals for you and your family throughout the entire year.
QUICK FACTS
– Oregano means ”Joy of The Mountain” in Ancient Greek.
– Ancient Greeks believed that cows that grazed in fields full of oregano had tastier meat.
– The beautiful purple or pink flowers are also edible.
– Oregano seeds will remain viable for 3 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
