Planting oregano.

Oregano is known to the world under such names as oreganum, or wild marjoram. The plant is considered perennial, it grows up to 70 cm high and spreads rather quickly throughout the territory thanks to its strong rhizomes. Oregano blooms in completely different ways, because today there are more than two dozen ornamental species of this plant.

Where to use oregano?

This spicy seasoning is often a component of aromatic and tasty tea, and is also perceived as a medicinal plant.

The oregano has positive effect on:
• the skin, so it is often used to treat dermatitis, both in adults and children;
• calming the nervous system, because the use of the herb as a tincture or in the form of brewed tea improves sleep, relieves headaches and helps normalize the general psychological state;
• work of the digestive tract, increasing appetite and secretion of gastric juice;
• the respiratory system, since the incense is relevant in the fight even with the advanced stage of bronchitis;
• dental problems, relieving the oral cavity from stomatitis;
• the work of the female organs, since there is an improvement in the symptoms of PMS, as well as the normalization of the menstrual cycle.

The beneficial properties of oregano are manifested not only in medical terms, but also in everyday life. Many people dry the plant and leave it in the closet as protection against moths. Oregano is also perceived as a popular flavoring suitable for pizza.

Oregano is especially appreciated by beekeepers, because it is thanks to its pollen that bees create incredibly sweet and aromatic honey. It should be noted that the herb smells almost like marjoram, but has a softer taste and a slightly tart aftertaste.

Oregano: popular varieties.

Oregano compactum. The plant reaches a height of 20 cm and has a creeping stem. The leaves are rather small, have an ovoid shape, and also have some dullness pleasant to look at. The flowers are distinguished by pale pink tint and an unobtrusive aroma. This variety is suitable for cultivation, both for practical purposes and for landscape design. Compactum is often chosen for planting in a pot and is perceived as a home flower.

Oregano Goldtaler. This perennial can grow up to 30 cm in height. The plant is famous for its branched stems, covered with small yellow oval leaves. Inflorescences are often either pinkish or white. The plant grows well after cutting, so you can get the harvest during the summer-autumn period. The goldtaler oregano is actively used to form mixborders and borders. The special aesthetics of oregano is manifested precisely under the influence of sunlight. The spicy kind of oregano has a slightly bitter taste. Often, the dried leaves are used to brew diaphoretic tea and are perceived as a means to combat high fever and sore throat.

The peculiarities of growing and caring about oregano.

Planting oregano. The plant has absolutely no special requirements for the type and acidity of open ground, but the site for planting it should be well lit. Otherwise, the plant will grow excessively long and its scent will not be as concentrated. It is important to pay attention to the fact that we are talking about growing a perennial, therefore, for seeds or seedlings, it is recommended to choose an area with fertile soil in the garden / vegetable garden.

When planting, you need to place the plant at a depth of no more than 5 cm. The distance between the bushes themselves should be about 25 cm. The grass especially loves moisture, but areas with dry or excessively moist soil will not work, because then the plant can simply stop growing or degenerate into a weed. It is advisable to determine the territory in the fall and fertilize the soil with compost or manure. Growing oregano on a windowsill at home is considered a fairly popular solution, but in order to get the plant you can use, you will have to wait more than a year, because the marked culture will please with the first flowering only during the second growing season.

It is recommended to plant only full-fledged oregano seedlings in open soil, since small, weak sprouts are extremely sensitive to weeds that can simply destroy the plants, taking away all the necessary nutrients. It is important to choose a moderately warm day for planting and periodically water the seedlings.

Experts advise creating small hollows near the plant so that in case of rainy weather there is no stagnation of excess moisture in the ground. Extra nutrition should be applied both in the first months of spring and after harvesting. You should not fertilize the soil in the first year after planting in open soil, since it already contains the necessary amount of nutrients necessary for the full rooting and development of the amulets. In the second year, it is allowed to fertilize the soil with saltpeter or a diluted cow manure solution. Such substances are relevant when fertilizing in the summer, but if the gardener focuses on growing oregano as an ornamental plant, such procedures on an ongoing basis can provoke excessive growth of the plant and loss of aesthetics.

A responsible gardener needs to make sure that the soil is always somewhat loosened. In the first 2-3 years after planting on a garden plot or vegetable garden, it is necessary to carefully monitor the weed activity growth, because they will appear very quickly on favorable soil. The weed problem will disappear by itself after that, as the oregano fully expands. To get rid of unnecessary worries, you can use the method of mulching the soil surface using straw.