Oregano

[Shawn]

Did you know there are several types of Oregano?  I sure did not.  I know of two, Italian and Greek.  However there are others and one may surprise you.


Italian Oregano -   Italian Oregano is an excellent variety with a strong spicy flavor. Most famous in the oregano family, has the nick-name “Pizza Herb.” It is perfect for Italian, Greek, Spanish and Mexican dishes.  It is spicy enough to be delicious in Mexican cuisine, like salsas or chili-flavored dishes, yet mild enough to be the best Oregano variety for Italian and Greek food.  

Greek Oregano -   Greek Oregano has a more cut-leaf appearance.  Greek oregano tends to be the most savory and earthy, while Italian is milder.  Greek Oregano’s flavor is hot and peppery.   Used widely in Italian dishes as well as Mexican.

Mexican Oregano -   Mexican Oregano is used to flavor pork, fish, beans, stews, soups, tacos, salsas, tomato based sauces and as an ingredient in seasoning blends. The flavor is a sharp classic Oregano with citrus notes and a hint of sweetness. This aromatic herb is so strong that a pinch chewed in the mouth causes a mild numbness to the tongue.

Golden Oregano -   Golden Oregano is use in tomato dishes, rice, pasta, sauces, dressings and vinegar.


Marjoram -  Yes this belongs here.  Marjoram a very near relative of Oregano, Marjoram is sweeter and milder than its cousin. Marjoram blends particularly well with meats, tomato, and rice dishes, and is found in French, Italian, and Greek cooking. Try Sweet Marjoram with poultry, mushrooms, egg dishes, potatoes and herbed butters.




Personal Notes:  I have grown both Greek and Italian and what is called Common.  I actually like the Common and Greek varieties better then the Italian.  

[MaryL]

I love this!  I had always wondered.  Thank you - you have greatly contributed to my fund of knowledge.

[Shawn]

 Your Welcome

[Shawn]

Anyone growing AG Oregano?  If so, how is yours growing?  Upward or like a ground cover?


In the past my very first Oregano was from the AG Kit.  It grew upward.  Then I tried Park Seed and Burpee and both grew like grown cover.  You can see it below.  I am just wondering if the AG kits still grow up.

AG Kit: 

 

Park:

[drbanks]

I grew the AG Oregano once, and really didn't care for it.  Maybe I'm just too accustomed to the pre-dried kind.

[Shawn]

Jan 7, 2018 11:13:29 GMT -5 drbanks said:

I grew the AG Oregano once, and really didn't care for it.  Maybe I'm just too accustomed to the pre-dried kind.

I do not remember the taste as I like the custom seeds.  I was just wondering about how it grows. LOL...

[drbanks]

It grew ok.  Didn't take over like a Basil; didn't die quickly like cilantro.

[craters]

Hi, Folks --

As I threatened in the cilantro thread, I'm posting this one here.

The problem: I can get oregano seeds to sprout at will in my AG. (It's a Harvest 360.) The problem is that's all they do -- just sprout and barely grow before they turn brown and go to the big Italian restaurant in the sky. This is what's become all too familiar in our house:

Attachment Deleted

Ignore the "Curly Parsley" label; I'm just reusing that basket. You can see a nice, healthy looking little sprout down there. To its left is a browning one that's on its way out. I thought they might have been "buried" too deeply in the sponge, so I trimmed some chunks off another sponge and used them to fill the hole partially in another one. I put the seeds on top of the chunks and tried that, but got the same result.

I've tried getting it started in an AG with the AG liquid nutrients and in one with just plain water, but the result is the same.

I also planted some marjoram at the same time, and that stuff is growing so well that we can't eat it fast enough. I know that marjoram and oregano are related, and seeing the marjoram go crazy just makes the oregano problem that much more confusing to me.

Any suggestions you might have would be appreciated -- thank you!

Mark

[Shawn]

Are you sure that brown one is connected to the green oregano?  Remember they plant multiple seeds.  I would carefully snip the brown one out and let the green grow.  Oregano can grow SLOW.  I have some that is just getting started that has been planted for some time.

[craters]

Hi, Shawn  --

Thanks for the quick replies!

They were separate seedlings. I planted three seeds each time, and each time two of them sprouted. In fact, I planted three more earlier this week, and I just noticed this morning that at least one of them has sprouted. I'll let you know how this try goes.

Is it better normally to get herb seeds going in an AG without nutrients in the water, or does it matter at all?

Thanks again!

Mark

[Shawn]

craters, Even though you plant x number of seeds, please know that they don't all germinated at times.  I wanted to mention that so you do not worry if all grow one time and the next only one.

I always add nutes when I plant a garden.  However I never add the full amount.  I usually grow herbs in a Harvest and start with 4-6ml.  Never add more then 6ml.  This is just what I do and so far I do pretty ok.

[craters]

Got it, Shawn. I've been doing the AG thing now for about a year now, with most of my plants coming from my do-it-meself seeds. I don't think that I ever had all of them in any pod germinate. Of course, I never get 'em all to sprout when I plant them in dirt, either.

That's very good to know that you don't use the full amount of food. I always wondered about that.

[angiemc16016]

My oregano isn't growing tall. More short and wide. Is that ok? I'm thinking of transplanting it to a pot. 

[Shawn]

Mar 13, 2021 12:37:32 GMT -5 angiemc16016 said:

My oregano isn't growing tall. More short and wide. Is that ok? I'm thinking of transplanting it to a pot. 

Is it Aerogarden Oregano or another vendor?

All the oregano I grow looks more like ground cover which is perfectly fine.  I have been growing it like this for years. Here is an example