Are you growing oregano? If not, here are 6 reasons you should be!

Not only is oregano easy to grow, but it has a multitude of uses – from the medicinal to pest control.

We planted some in containers just a few weeks ago, and it is going bonkers! It got so thick in the container, we thinned a few of the plants out and put them into our little herb bed, where they are also doing well despite being crowded and not having enough water.

Fresh oregano has a different flavor than dried, but it also holds its flavor well when dried, unlike some other herbs. It’s also a perennial, so once you get your oregano established, it can live for many years as long as you take care of it.

Check out these fun facts, and plant some oregano!

Oregano is one of the most popular perennial herbs to grow in an herb garden. Here are six reasons why you should add oregano to your garden.

1. Oregano is easy to grow.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a mediterranean plant that is drought-tolerant and grows in hardiness zones 4-9. It prefers a sunny, hot, dry climate with well-drained soil, but it can survive wet periods and a little shade, too. Try growing it on a slope and it will prevent erosion…. Give it plenty of space, because it can grow to four feet wide.

…………………………………………………

2. Oregano is good medicine.

Oregano is often used in natural remedies, and is a powerful – some say more effective – alternative to prescription antibiotics. Many people will take oil of oregano internally at the first sign of cold or flu. It has been known to help with fungal and yeast infections, and allergies, too.

…………………………………………….

3. Oregano is a necessity in the well-stocked kitchen.

Oregano can be used both fresh and dried in the kitchen. It is popularly used in Italian cooking in pizza and spaghetti sauces.

To use fresh oregano, simply cut the stems and pull off the fresh leaves. To dry oregano, cut the stems and hang them in bunches upside down until completely dry and crispy, then strip the leaves from the stems….

4. Oregano is a host plant for beneficial insects and pollinators.

Oregano flowers are enjoyed by pollinators of all kinds, who feed on the flower nectar.

Beneficial insects–such as lacewings–search for plants that have good foliage for egg-laying, as well as nectar for feeding. They find both food and egg-laying habitat in oregano.

…………………………………………….

5. Oregano is an aromatic pest repellent.

The strong scent of oregano will confuse pests sniffing out delicious crops, which is another reason to plant it near the vegetable garden and under fruit trees.

6. Oregano makes a good ground cover.

Oregano makes a walkable ground cover in areas that don’t get heavy traffic, such as in minor pathways and under fruit trees where pruning and harvesting only occur a few times per year.

…………………………………………………..

Read the full article at 10th Acre Farm….