In addition to potatoes, onions and tomatoes, it is useful to plant beds in the country with herbs such as oregano (oregano). In addition to delicious tea and spicy dishes, it will help protect the garden from pests and will be a wonderful decoration for it. If you have already thought about it, below you will learn everything about oregano, its cultivation and care.
Oregano: a description of a spicy plant
Oregano (motherboard, incense, oregano) is a perennial fragrant plant growing in shrubs with a height of 30 to 70 cm. Thanks to its strong roots, oregano is able to grow independently in the garden. Its leaves are small, egg-shaped with a sharp tip. Flowering occurs in a variety of shades, since today over 20 decorative varieties of this plant have been bred. Oregano is used not only for delicious tea, but also as a medicinal herb.
In particular, it is able to affect:
- nervous system, improving well-being, sleep, relieving headache;
- digestion, increasing appetite;
- the respiratory system, helping to cope even with bronchitis;
- female organs, helping to eliminate delays in menstruation, relieve PMS and menopause symptoms;
- oral cavity, helping to cope with stomatitis;
- skin, since it is an excellent remedy for childhood diathesis and various dermatitis in adults.
Oregano is also used in everyday life: if you leave it in the closet, you will not be afraid of the moth. Oregano is also a very popular spice, which is used not only for pizza, but also for canning. Beekeepers also value oregano, as bees make very fragrant honey from its pollen.
Did you know? Oregano blooms every year starting from the second year of growth, while after flowering, fruits are formed on the stems - very small rounded nuts. Seeds are collected in the nuts, which are simply microscopic in size. 1000 oregano seeds weigh only 0.1 g.
Favorable conditions for planting oregano
Planting oregano with seeds presupposes the preliminary selection of a favorable place for the plant, where it will not only grow well, but also be able to accumulate useful substances in its leaves. The oregano garden should be located in a well-lit area, as the plant will stretch excessively in the shade and will not be able to retain its aroma. At the same time, oregano is not at all picky about the type of soil, since it can take root almost everywhere.
But since we are talking about a perennial plant, it is better to choose an area with nutritious soil, which is regularly moistened. Too dry or constantly wet areas of the plant are not suitable, as it may not grow or be reborn and become a common weed. Also, in the fall, it is important to add manure or compost to the oregano beds, if there are none, then even saltpeter will do.
Many fans of oregano try to grow it on the windowsill. In general, this is quite possible, however, to obtain high-quality raw materials, you will have to wait more than a year, since this spice gives the first flowering only during the second growing season.
How to plant oregano in open ground: a method of growing through seedlings
Often, oregano involves growing from seeds, but it is recommended to sow them for seedlings. The fact is that the first shoots of oregano are usually very weak, and weeds can easily drive them. Therefore, it is much more practical to grow seedlings in pots on the windowsill since spring, and plant them in open ground closer to summer.
When and how to sow oregano
If oregano is grown from seed, it is very important to guess over time when to plant. For seedlings, it can be sown in ordinary plastic pots or boxes as early as March. The sooner you do this, the stronger the seedlings will be for planting in open ground. During sowing, you need to fill the pots with a nutritious soil mixture, which is best purchased at the store and mixed a little with ordinary sand.
Be sure to sprinkle it with water from a spray bottle and compact it a little, then make rows and cover them with seeds. It is not worth deepening the seeds by more than 1 cm. The first shoots have to wait long enough - from 10 to 15 days. All this time, pots or boxes of oregano must be kept at a temperature of 20-22 ° C and on a well-lit windowsill.
Many gardeners, when growing seedlings, also tighten the pots with polyethylene, but in the case of oregano, this is not urgently needed. Oregano, when sown on seedlings, will surprise you with its thin sprouts, which at first are even scary to touch. But over time, they will get significantly stronger and become similar to an adult plant.
Important!If you are interested in the question of how to plant oregano seeds directly in open groundLocation on, then it is recommended to do this at the end of May, when the earth warms up well. To do this, clear a patch of weeds and sow seeds densely in 45 cm aisles.
How to care for oregano seedlings
Small seedlings are very susceptible to weeds, which can push them above them and drown them out. Therefore, even in pots, it is important to carefully examine the seedlings and remove everything that is not oregano. If your seedlings turned out to be very intense, then over time they need to be thinned out so that the seedlings can strengthen well.
Also, do not forget to regularly water the oregano in pots, for which it is better to use a spray bottle. After all, you can wash off weakly rooted plants with a large amount of water, and the moisture introduced during the spraying process is quite enough for the seedlings. Be sure to keep the seedlings in the sun and rotate them if you notice lopsided development.
Seedling picking
After 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, it must be dived, that is, planted in separate pots so that it can gain strength until the time when it will be necessary to plant oregano in open ground. You can dive seedlings into peat pots, which after that can be planted on the beds. Already in mid-May, the oregano will be ready to be planted in the open ground. There is nothing difficult in this, the main thing is to choose a not too hot day for this and regularly add seedlings.
Did you know?Oregano is very often grown commercially, harvesting its leaves for essential oil. The latter is used for aromatherapy as a sedative.
Oregano care
In the first year, oregano will require a lot of attention, because the question of how to grow oregano from seeds also involves the application of proper watering and feeding to the plant.
Rules for watering and feeding oregano
Oregano is not very demanding on moisture, but droughts are contraindicated for it. Therefore, watering should be organized in accordance with the intensity of soil drying in the beds with oregano. You should also take care that, in rainy weather, excess water does not accumulate in the ground with oregano, so it is better to dig it in small depressions.
As for dressings, the plant will need them from early spring and after harvest. But in the first year, you should not feed oregano, as it will still have enough nutrients that you brought in while preparing the garden in the fall. From the second year, as soon as the plant begins to move away from hibernation, it can be sprinkled with saltpeter or a little mullein (necessarily diluted with water) can be added.
Similar fertilizers can be used for summer fertilization. But if you grow oregano as a decorative flower in a flower bed, then you should not fertilize it, since later it can grow excessively and lose its decorative effect.
Soil care
The soil in which oregano grows should always be slightly loosened. In the early years, until the ornamental plant grows, it will have to be weeded quite often. After all, oregano does not grow very intensively, while weeds appear on good soil instantly. But once the oregano grows well, the weeds can be forgotten.
Another way to control weeds and reduce watering is to mulch the soil in your oregano garden with straw. As a rule, such a small nuance is very good for the growth of oregano.
Important!If flowering appears on oregano in the first year of growth, it is better to remove it. So you give the plant the opportunity to strengthen, so that next year from spring it will grow even more.
It is noteworthy that oregano tolerates cold enough, so for the winter its bushes do not even have to be covered. If the ground is covered with snow early, greenish leaves may still remain on the plant in spring.
Features of oregano transplant
Oregano can grow in the same place for more than 20 years, but if you want to get a healing medicine from it, then it is recommended to transplant it from place to place every five years. At the same time, after oregano, you can safely grow any garden crop that will not be affected by pests and diseases by 99% - after oregano, it simply does not remain in the soil.
Reproduction of oregano
You already know how to plant oregano seeds, but you can propagate it in vegetative ways:
- By dividing the bush. To do this, an already adult oregano must be dug up and carefully divided into two parts. At the same time, it is very important not to harm the root system and not break the stems, since they still have to grow.
- Layers. For this purpose, throughout the entire growing season, you can simply drop some strong shoots with soil, which will definitely take root. In the next season, the new plant will only need to be separated from the mother with a shovel, and it can be transplanted to any other place.
It is recommended to propagate oregano by vegetative methods either in spring or early autumn, so that the plant still has time to take root in a new place.
Despite the fact that many summer residents and gardeners know what oregano (oregano) is, growing from seeds is not given to everyone. Let's talk about rules and mistakes together.
Oregano, although an unpretentious plant, however, nevertheless, for a beautiful growth requires a little certain labor costs, knowledge and attention. For planting, almost any area is suitable, both in the sun and in the shade, it is good to plant this plant in the garden. The soil can be any, but it is necessary to dig it up and fertilize it first. On loose soil in the garden, the plant takes root better and blooms beautifully.
Growing oregano (oregano) is best done from seed by seedling. For this, in early spring (first half of March), seeds are sown in a prepared seedling box to a depth of 0.5 cm. The plant will germinate in about two weeks with good watering and diffused sunlight. It is best to put the seedling box on a bright window. At first, the sprouts will grow slowly, but with subsequent proper care they will give leaves. When about 3-4 full-fledged leaves appear on the stalk, the seedlings need to be transplanted - each in a separate container. It is important not to damage the root system during digging. Then, as it grows, it is advisable to lower the air temperature and prepare the plants for planting in open ground.
As soon as the thin stems are replaced by young strong shoots, oregano can be transplanted into the ground in the garden. This time usually comes by mid-May. Plants are planted in well-poured prepared holes at a distance of 15 cm. Then it is advisable to water and mulch the soil well again.
Directly into the open ground
Some gardeners prefer to grow oregano from seed, by planting them directly in open ground. This is also a completely acceptable and acceptable way, especially if it is warm and early spring in your area. To do this, at the beginning of March, seeds are planted in moist soil 0.5-1 cm deep. After that, the growing site is not touched and fed until shoots appear. Only after that the seedlings are thinned out and watered well. Also at this time it is important to carefully deal with weeds, which often drown out the growth of young shoots. That is why most often the cultivation of oregano occurs in the garden, where there are fewer weeds.
Growing
After planting in open ground, the seedlings will require sufficient attention and care for the first time. But when the plants finally take root, get stronger and give active growth, cultivation does not take much time and worries. However, it is worth remembering that in the first year, even under the best growth conditions, oregano does not bloom. Then, for a beautiful and long-lasting flowering, experts advise fertilizing the plant before planting buds. For this, as practice shows, a solution of 1 tablespoon of ammonium nitrate is well suited. The crop is harvested in July, leaving only the main stem 20 centimeters high from the ground.
Growing common oregano from seeds is best done by seedlings. So the plant takes root faster and requires less attention to itself. Having strengthened in a seedling pot, the plant already perceives weather changes well and is able to fight weeds. As for the subsequent cultivation, common oregano tolerates well both summer heat and winter cold, so it does not require any additional shelters in the garden. Adequate watering and timely feeding is the key to success.
Care
During the cultivation of oregano from seeds, the list of care for it includes watering, feeding, cleaning the grass, and loosening the soil. But the same simple steps must be followed with the subsequent growth of the plant. It should be noted that the value as a useful aromatic plant depends directly on care. So, for example, with an excess or lack of moisture in the stems and leaves, the amount of essential oils decreases, which is why the plant may give less pleasant aroma. In the first years of growth, it is advisable to clear the bushes of grass and other weeds, but after the third year of life, the oregano itself will drown out the "uninvited guests."
If you want to breed and cultivate this plant for a long time, you must remember that oregano does not grow in one place for more than 20-25 years. But in the garden, in order to enjoy the exuberant flowering and aroma every year, it is advisable to replant it every five years. In the first year of planting, the bush needs to be thinned out and the inflorescences removed, so the plant will become thicker. From top dressing, it is best to use organic fertilizers in the form of mullein (1: 6) or infusion of bird droppings.
Also, due to the strong aroma and high content of essential oils, oregano does not require treatment against pests or diseases, as it has strong natural immunity and protection. This, of course, greatly facilitates her care and successful cultivation.
Video
Oregano is known to us under different names: mother, incense, forest mint, oregano (from the original name Origanum vulgare).
This plant is rich in essential oils, tannins, ascorbic acid. That is why it is widely used in both folk and traditional medicine. It is difficult to imagine a classic Italian pizza or Greek salad without this spice, but how fragrant and healthy oregano tea is! Oregano can be grown not only in the garden, but all year round in a pot on a windowsill. True, in room conditions, the content of nutrients in a plant will be slightly lower.
Methods and timing of growing oregano
In fact, planting and caring for oregano is very simple. First of all, you should decide on the method of growing, there can be four of them:
- seedling method;
- sowing seeds in open ground;
- growing from cuttings;
- growing by dividing the bush.
Having chosen the most suitable option, you can start preparing.
Growing through seedlings
Growing oregano from seeds at home for seedlings is not at all difficult. This method is the most common among experienced gardeners, but beginners will also be able to do it. In order for a strong healthy seedling to turn out from the seeds, they need to ensure the correct temperature regime and watering. The seeds do not require special pre-planting preparation.
Seed preparation for sowing. Since oregano seeds do not need pre-treatment with disinfectant solutions, heating and soaking, they can be sown directly on seedlings. The planting material is extremely small - 0.1 g holds about 1000 seeds. This volume is enough to sow an area of 10 m 2. The seeds look too small and I can't even believe that in August it will be a bush 70 cm high.
Soil preparation and site selection. Growing from seeds should take place in light soil, peat is perfect for this. Before sowing, the substrate can be watered with a growth stimulator (for example, "Energen") at the rate of 5 drops of solution per 1 liter of warm water. This event is not at all mandatory, even without a stimulant, oregano seeds will germinate by the beginning of the second week. The windowsill of a warm room is an excellent place for germinating seedlings from seeds. For the first week, the seed container can be kept without lighting. Important conditions at this stage are moist soil and an air temperature of at least 22 ° C.
Sowing rules. Sowing oregano seeds in order to obtain seedlings should be carried out in February, the deadline is mid-March. Since the seeds are very small, they should not be deepened too much. The optimum sowing depth is about 0.5 cm. The soil is pre-moistened abundantly. If you wish, you can cover the container with foil or glass, creating the conditions for a greenhouse, but there is no particular need for this. It should be remembered that the soil should not dry out, the seeds should be in a warm, humid environment. It will take at least 10 days for the first shoots to appear. When the first greenery appears from under the ground, it is advisable to place the container on the sill of the south window. During the airing of the room, the container with oregano is hidden from the draft.
Advice: "Oregano shoots are very thin and delicate, the first few days are recommended to be watered with a spray bottle."
Next, the care of the seedlings begins, which includes not only watering, but also the removal of sprouted weeds. It is very important to get rid of them, because they can "clog" young shoots, moreover, the weeds take on a considerable part of the nutrients from the soil.
Seedling picking. When the plant has the first pair of leaves, it's time to plant the oregano in separate cups so that their roots don't start to intertwine. In these containers, the seedlings will spend about a month. The picking contributes to the better development of the lateral roots, the plant becomes stronger, it has enough nutrients (as opposed to mass cultivation in one container). There are two ways to pick:
- Transplanting seedlings.
- Transshipment together with the soil.
In the first method, the container with sprouts is well moistened 3 hours before the pick. This will help to easily lift the plants out of the soil. You will need a small spatula or a regular spoon. When taking out the sprouts, you need to hold them by the cotyledon leaves or an earthen lump on the root. Peat or universal soil mixed with sand is poured into plastic cups (or another container with a volume of up to 0.5 liters). Only strong healthy seedlings are planted, the rest of the specimens will not be useful.
Each glass must be well watered. During the adaptation of the plant, it is better to hide it from the bright sun. After 3-4 days, the oregano can be returned to the sunny windowsill. A more gentle way of picking for a plant is by reloading. The container with future seedlings is carefully turned over to detach and remove the sprouts. The soil must be dry. This method is suitable for oregano grown in a small container or in separate cups.
Sowing with seeds in open ground
The motherboard can be sown with seeds directly into open ground, but this is a more troublesome and unreliable planting option. Sowing can be carried out when the soil warms up, and sudden changes in temperature have passed. This is usually mid or late May.
Seeds are sown in pre-dug, well-moistened soil, leaving row spacings about 40 cm wide. You can sow in shallow grooves or holes, sprinkling on top with a thin layer of soil. Next, you need to monitor the regular moistening of the soil. Seedlings will appear no earlier than two weeks later. Disadvantages of this landing method:
- long hatching of seeds;
- seedlings are very tender, and heavy rain can wash them out of the soil;
- weeds grow much faster, suppressing oregano and preventing it from getting stronger;
- there will be no flowering in the year of planting.
Planting and caring for oregano in the open field does not imply special agricultural technology. However, additional attention may be required during the period when the first shoots appear. Seedlings must be thinned out, leaving the strongest specimens. Weeds should be removed as soon as they appear.
Growing by cuttings and dividing the bush
You can propagate oregano in this way if you have an adult mother plant. The bush is dug up and carefully divided into parts, being careful not to damage the roots. The procedure is performed in the fall or spring. Reproduction by cuttings can be carried out throughout the growing season.
To do this, cut cuttings are dug into the soil for germination, leaving the top of the plant intact. During the summer, they will sprout, and at the beginning of next year they will be ready for independent living. In the spring, such rooted cuttings are separated from the main bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Transplanting
Of all the listed methods of how to grow oregano in the garden, seedling is the most effective.
You can plant oregano seedlings in open ground in May, when the night frosts pass.
Oregano can be used to decorate flower beds as an ornamental herb. It can be bred in the country among vegetables to protect them from insects (it has a specific aroma that repels pests). Diseases affect oregano extremely rarely, mainly as a result of excessive watering.
Seat selection
Oregano is not an annual herb, it can grow in one place for about 20 years, so it is important to choose the right site for it. Like all outdoor herbaceous plants, oregano loves loose soil and plenty of sunlight. It can adapt to growing in the shade, but lack of sun will significantly affect its healing properties.
Soil preparation
It is important not only where to plant, but also in what soil. The mother mother can grow in a scarce substrate, but with annual fertilization, its quality, as a spice and a medicinal plant, increases significantly. In the fall, the soil is deeply dug up with rotted manure and superphosphate. For 1 m 2 you will need an incomplete bucket of manure and about 2 tbsp. l. granular superphosphate. In the spring, seedlings can be planted in the prepared soil.
Landing scheme
Planting and caring for oregano will be much easier if you keep the optimal distance between the bushes. In the first two years, oregano does not grow much, and it is convenient to care for it, but with a very dense planting, it is more difficult to work the soil. It is recommended to plant oregano with an interval of 30 cm between the bushes, the aisles are left wider - up to 50 cm. Oregano can be grown as a garden grass, being an excellent decoration for flower beds and flower beds. In this case, the distance between the bushes does not really matter, and it can be reduced to 15 cm. You should also minimize feeding with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, since they can affect the flowering of oregano.
Plant care
Since the motherboard grows both in the house and in the garden, it is not at all difficult to grow a lush bush of fragrant seasoning at home. In the spring, when planting seedlings in the ground, it is worth leaving one bush for planting in a pot, as a houseplant. Caring for it does not differ from other ornamental plants; in summer, the pot can be taken out into the garden.
Watering and weeding
Oregano is extremely uncomfortable in excessively moist soil. It is worth watering it as the top layer of the soil dries up. If the first 3-5 cm of the soil is completely dry, it's time for watering. A short-term drought on hot days will not harm the plant, but the lack of moisture for more than a week can destroy it. At air temperatures above 26 ° C, it is advisable to water the oregano beds every third day. Very good results are obtained by mulching the soil under the bushes with straw. This stops the growth of weeds and retains moisture in the soil after watering. Mulch is not harvested in autumn. Usually, oregano winters well without shelter, but a layer of straw will not be superfluous during the first frost.
Top dressing
If oregano is not grown for flowering, but as a seasoning or medicinal plant, it is recommended to regularly replenish the supply of nutrients in the soil. To do this, it is enough to carry out top dressing twice a year - necessarily in the fall (or early spring) and in the middle of summer. You can use ready-made universal fertilizers, or you can add a mixture of rotted manure with superphosphate (add 40 g of superphosphate to ¾ buckets of manure).
Pruning and replanting
There is no need to prune the oregano, but you can prune the flowers in the first year to stimulate the growth of the bush. In the first two years, the plant develops rather slowly, such pruning will help it not waste energy on flowering, but direct them to the formation of a lush crown. Oregano is a long-liver, its bushes grow for more than 15 years without transplanting, but to preserve nutrients in the plant, it is recommended to transplant it every 5 years. It is better to do this in autumn or spring, when the soil warms up. The beds after oregano are great for vegetable crops, since they are not infested with pests.
When and how to cut and dry oregano properly
Depending on the variety, the flowering time of the plant may differ slightly. In oregano, flowering begins in July. It is at this time that the preparations for this spice are carried out. Stems about 25 cm long are suitable for cutting. No more than three such branches are cut from one bush. It is better to dry them in a suspended state by rewinding a small bundle with a thread. This method of drying is the most correct, since this way air is provided to the plant from all sides, it does not rot. When the twigs are completely dry, the leaves are harvested from them, and the stems are discarded. You can store the leaves in sealed jars for two years.
Oregano is used in the fight against moths; for this, dry twigs with flowers and leaves are placed in the cabinet. The largest flowering branches are left to collect seeds. They are also dried, after which the flowers are carefully rubbed with hands, releasing the smallest seeds. You can store the seeds by wrapping them in clean paper (not newspaper), away from moisture.
Oregano is no longer perceived as an exotic plant, more and more often it can be found growing in a garden or on a windowsill in our area. This medicinal plant definitely deserves our attention.
Oregano, or oregano, is one of the most aromatic herbs, and it is widely used in cooking to give food a special flavor. Oregano as a spice can be purchased at the supermarket, but it should be stored at home protected from light and with a tightly closed lid. True, these measures allow you to preserve the healing properties of oregano for only a couple of months. By the way, lovers of Italian cuisine have noticed that the spice is not as tasty as fresh oregano. Fortunately, the oregano plant can be grown at home from seeds. Its herb is highly durable, which makes it easy to care for.
Plant varieties
The most popular varieties of oregano:
Arbat Semko.
White oregano.
Caramel.
Honey scent.
Wizard.
Mila.
Hope.
Rainbow.
Oregano is elegant.
Siberian melody.
Northern Lights.
Fairy.
Slavnitsa.
Farmer.
Preparing the soil and seeds of oregano, growing at home
It is quite easy to grow oregano from seeds, however, some difficulties can arise with the seeds themselves due to the fact that they are very small. In order not to have difficulties with planting oregano, growing from seeds begins by mixing them with dry sand. This will achieve a more even distribution of the seed in the soil.
Containers for oregano need to be selected deeper than for other seedlings, this plant has long rhizomes. There must be drain holes in the container. The container or pot must be filled with nutritious soil, it is best to buy already prepared soil, but if you want to make the soil yourself, mix the earth, sand, humus and leaves in equal parts. Drainage from vermiculite or perlite should be laid at the bottom of the container.
Moisten the pre-prepared grooves with water and plant the seeds there to a depth of no more than one centimeter, cover with a new layer of soil, water. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or glass. Glass or film helps create a greenhouse effect - the necessary humidity and temperature for the plant to emerge. Do not forget that the plant needs fresh air from time to time, so you need to open the containers for a while.
It is recommended to plant oregano for growing at home in mid-April, when the seedlings of the plant get stronger, they can be transplanted into open ground.
Home care
Oregano is a very light-loving plant, so when planting it needs to allocate a sunny place, although, of course, everything should be in moderation - you do not need to leave oregano in the sun. In May and June, the plant can be taken out onto a balcony or loggia, so it will not only enjoy natural light and air, but will also be prepared for transplanting into open ground, if such is planned. The temperature for successful cultivation of oregano must be at least 15 degrees.
You need to moisten the soil regularly, although the plant is not demanding to the ground, but it still loves to drink. Watering will have to be done once every two to three days or as the soil dries up. The sprouted sprouts should be watered very carefully, use a spray, a watering can, the device will help not to flood the plant and not damage the thin leaves with the pressure of water. In order not to form stagnant water, the earth must be carefully loosened and done regularly.
Open ground transplant
Already 25-30 days after planting oregano seeds, thin sprouts are replaced by young, rather strong plants, that is, in mid-May, the grass is already ready for transplantation into open ground. How to do it right? First of all, you need to prepare the soil: make holes in it at a distance of fifteen centimeters from each other and moisten each hole, you can also mix fertilizer with the ground.
It is already possible to plant plants in the holes, you do not need to sprinkle the soil from the roots of oregano, so it will be easier for him to adapt to the new soil. Then oregano is sprinkled with earth, tamped and watered again, it is also necessary to mulch the soil so that moisture is retained for the longest time.
Outdoor seedling care
The first time after transplanting oregano into open ground, the plant needs careful care. Watering should be done regularly, while watering the grass is best in the evening or early morning, the main thing is that the sun is not at its zenith, otherwise the leaves of the oregano may burn out, and the plant itself will die.
You should also regularly weed the soil around the oregano so that the weeds do not interfere with its growth, do not forget to loosen the soil. After the oregano gets stronger, it will require much less attention and care will become easier. Oregano blooms in the second year after planting.
For successful flowering, the plant must be fertilized before budding begins. As a fertilizer, such a mixture is well suited: a tablespoon of ammonium nitrate, diluted in 10 liters of water. The oregano is harvested in July by cutting off the stems and leaves and leaving at least 20 centimeters of the aboveground part of the plant.
A wonderful fragrant herb, which is dried after harvesting. It must be dried at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees, under a canopy, otherwise the essential oils of the plant will evaporate and there will be no useful properties left. Oregano, by the way, is also used in medicine. It is an excellent antioxidant and is more effective than many antibiotics. However, recently we told you about this ...
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For many spice aficionados, growing oregano is a real pleasure. After all, this plant does not require special care, but it brings tangible benefits to all family members. Since time immemorial, oregano has been used not only as a refined spice, but also as a remedy. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, relieving headaches. Improves the digestive tract and increases appetite. Decoctions from the plant are used to treat bronchitis, stomatitis and female ailments. It cleanses the body as a whole and is considered an effective means of combating dermatitis and diathesis in young children. It is not surprising that the cultivation of oregano in their summer cottage is of particular interest for novice gardeners.
If you put a flower in a closet, the moth will forget its way there forever.
Amazing plant with a fragrant name
Oregano is a spicy herb with a specific smell. In the common people it is called the motherboard and amulet. In western countries, it is known as oregano. The spice is actively used in cooking: it is added to meat dishes, it is used in canning vegetables and fruits. Beekeepers appreciate it for the original pollen, from which insects make a fragrant liquid.
Before we understand how to grow oregano in the country, we will try to get to know this amazing plant better. In nature, culture is found almost throughout Europe. The homeland of the plant is the Mediterranean countries. On the territory of Russia, the motherboard does not take root in the Far North and the Far East. Most of all, the plant loves open areas where there is a lot of sunlight:
- spacious meadows;
- ditch slopes;
- forest edges;
- river valleys;
- shrub thickets;
- the side of the steppe roads.
The perennial grows in bushes from 30 to 70 cm high. Its strong root system allows it to withstand the vagaries of nature and grow independently in the natural environment. Ladanka has miniature ovoid leaf plates with pointed tips. It blooms for several months, from summer to mid-autumn, in buds, collected in lush panicles. Most often they are colored purple, but they are white, pink and reddish.
At the end of the flowering period, miniature nuts are formed on the shoots, in which microscopic seeds are stored (slightly smaller than poppy seeds). There are more than two dozen varieties of this plant, so growing oregano in the garden is a real pleasure. Consider the most popular types of this fragrant culture.
Oregano
The plant is a herbaceous perennial, growing up to a maximum of 90 cm. The leaf plates are oblong, ovoid. The edges are serrated, the tip of the leaf is pointed. The upper part is dark green. The back side has a grayish tint, which gives them a special decorative effect. Shoots are tetrahedral, slightly pubescent. At the base of the bush, they branch out in different directions. Thanks to this, the plant has a rounded shape.
A popular variety of oregano, the Pink Fairy has medicinal properties and a delicate aroma. It grows up to 65 cm. Light green foliage contains a number of nutrients:
- essential oils;
- trace elements (selenium, iron, molybdenum);
- tannins;
- vitamin C.
Inflorescences are presented in the form of a spreading panicle with many buds of a pinkish or purple hue. They open in July and delight the smooth until the beginning of autumn. After successful pollination on the stems, dark brown fruits resembling nuts are formed. They contain many microscopic oregano seeds, which gardeners use to propagate a flower in their garden.
Oregano Amethyst Falls
You can decorate a summer cottage with an amazing kind of amulet. It blooms with delicate pink-purple buds from August to October. The height of the bushes is up to 20 cm, and the width is about 30. Oregano Amethyst Follos is distinguished by light green rounded foliage and delicate shoots. Each of them is crowned with cascading fragrant inflorescences. The plant fits wonderfully into the landscape design of a country house and grows without problems in the garden.
Indoor plant fans can grow round-leaved oregano in large containers or pots.
Oregano Amanskaya
Lovers of low-growing plants will like the motherboard of this variety. It will only grow up to 20 cm in height, so it is grown for decoration:
- borders;
- balconies;
- terraces;
- gardens;
- vegetable gardens.
The buds of Oregano Aman are collected in spike-shaped panicles. They are gracefully hidden under green or pink bracts. From the side, the plant has an original decorative appearance.
The flower of this variety usually grows up to 40 cm in height, which makes it possible to use it as an ornamental plant. The main feature of oregano honey aroma is a rich fresh smell that attracts many insects. During the flowering period, it is decorated with large purple buds. They are located along the elastic shoot in the form of a curly panicle.
To grow this kind of oregano in the garden, you don't need to go to the Arctic. It is enough to find it in the store, buy it and sow it in the garden. The flower grows up to 60 cm in the form of a branched bush with many graceful shoots. Each of them is covered with small ovoid leaves with pointed tips. Oregano Northern Lights is distinguished by paniculate inflorescences with many miniature purple-pink buds. A beautiful sight indeed.
The flower is a herbaceous perennial about 50 cm high. The ovoid leaf plates are dull green in color. Microscopic hairs are visible on the surface, which shine in sunlight. Oregano Mila has graceful inflorescences, consisting of small purple buds. They bloom from July to early fall.
Oregano leaves are widely used in cooking. They are added to meat and vegetable dishes. Dried raw materials are used to prepare aromatic drinks.
The perennial is distinguished by decorative leaf plates, which are decorated with a cream-colored border. When the plant blooms, pink buds appear on it. They are collected in loose clusters with bright pink bracts. They are located on erect shoots of a flower. Oregano Teddy exudes a pleasant rich aroma that attracts many insects, including bees. Prefers drained soils and feels great in open areas where there is an abundance of sunlight.
Growing oregano from seeds
Despite the fact that oregano is a rather unpretentious plant and perfectly tolerates the Russian climate, there are several requirements for its cultivation. First of all, it is important to choose a suitable location with a lot of sunshine. The plant does not tolerate even a slight shade. 
The second factor is soil. Oregano develops successfully on any soil, the main thing is that there is no stagnation of water. The third rule is timely feeding in the autumn and spring. To do this, add humus, manure to the ground and, after carefully loosening the topsoil.
There are several ways to plant oregano in your summer cottage. Traditionally, the plant is propagated by dividing the rhizomes, layering, cuttings and using seeds. Each of the options has its own characteristics, but we will take a closer look at how to grow oregano from seeds.
The first thing to do is to prepare the site in the fall. To do this, it is cleaned of dry grass, leaves and branches. Then they carefully dig up so that the earth receives enough moisture in winter and oxygen. At the beginning of spring, a top dressing is prepared from humus, superphosphate and mineral fertilizers, which is applied to the soil. After that, it is dug up again, leveled so that there are no lumps, since the planting material is microscopic in size.
Sowing oregano seeds
Growing oregano from seeds consists in the following actions:
- holes are made on the site at a distance of 25 cm from each other;
- the bottom of the wells is slightly moistened;
- planting material is carefully sown;
- cover it with earth by 1 cm;
- the bed is compacted;
- cover with mulch.
After 2 or 3 weeks, the first shoots will appear, which it is advisable to regularly weed from weeds. Planting oregano and care includes thinning young shoots with an interval of 15-20 cm between plants. Torn specimens are used for plant propagation in free areas of the site.
Another way to reproduce oregano is to grow seedlings. For this, seeds are sown in pots or containers with purchased universal soil. When this is not possible, you can add a little sand to ordinary garden soil to make it lighter.
Sow the motherboard in March, it will bloom in the first year after planting. If you do this in May, flowers will appear only in the second year.
Further, small holes are made in the soil. They put seeds in them and cover them with soil by no more than 1 cm. The upper ball of earth is moistened and covered with cling film or a bag. This method contributes to the rapid growth of planting material. Periodically, the crops are ventilated and watered using a spray bottle. After a few weeks, the first shoots will appear, which are thinned out over time so that they grow stronger. 
Planting oregano outdoors and caring for the plant involves following simple rules. The sprouts are planted in the ground when it warms up enough. Better to do this in May. The bushes are placed at a distance of 50 cm from each other so that they develop successfully. And timely watering, top dressing and loosening of the soil remain unchanged procedures for fragrant spices in the garden.
Growing oregano seedlings - video
Oregano is an herb that has many popular names. Oregano is the Eastern European name for oregano. In Italy, Greece and other countries, practically no dish is complete without this seasoning. But the Slavs have known since ancient times this plant called "motherboard", which was used to treat many diseases. So, this article will be about all the possibilities of oregano and the features of its cultivation.
Growing and caring for oregano in the country
Lovers of flower beds and flower beds have long acquired this perennial plant. Its aroma, unpretentiousness and long stay in one place are obvious advantages when growing oregano. It is important for the motherboard that there is a sufficient amount of light, moderate moisture. She does not like stagnation and excess moisture. This plant has no more obvious claims to the place of growth. The main steps for caring for oregano are:
- weeding;
- watering;
- moderate moisture.
If oregano is used for harvesting raw materials, for medicinal or culinary purposes, then it needs to be cut two or three times a season. It is recommended to apply fertilizers (organic or complex mineral) after each cut. In the case of decorative cultivation of oregano, it is not necessary to cut it off and apply fertilizers. In one area, it can grow up to 20 years, but it is recommended to replant the bushes every 5-7 years. Such manipulations will help to rejuvenate the plant and the oregano bushes will have a more aesthetic appearance, and the flowering will be more exuberant.
Reproduction of oregano
The mother is well established after planting, and the seeds give good shoots. Therefore, the most common breeding options for this plant are:
- sowing seeds;
- dividing the bush;
- reproduction by layering.
Each of these methods is discussed below.
Sowing seeds
Seeds are sown directly into the ground or in pots to obtain seedlings. When you don't feel like running around with seedlings, then:
- In early May, plant seeds in the holes made (no more than 1 cm), taking into account the distance of 10-15 cm.
- Sprinkle with earth.
- Moisturize slightly.
In order for the plants to be stronger and grow faster, you can plant seeds in pots. This should be done in March. Plant seeds in fertile soil, not forgetting about drainage and holes in the pot, water. Cover containers with planting material with polyethylene or glass. Send to a warm place for germination. After the emergence of sprouts, transfer to a bright room. In May, transplant the seedlings into open ground for further growth.
The flowering of such plants begins from the second year.
Propagation of oregano by dividing the bush
In the spring or early fall, you need to dig up a bush that is at least two years old, divide it into parts. On one bush, after dividing, there should be at least four stems. It is important to do everything carefully so as not to damage the roots. Oregano bushes can be planted in summer, only on cloudy days. This plant takes root well.
Reproduction by layering
To propagate oregano in this way, you need:
- In the spring, choose a twig.
- Bend it to the ground and secure it.
- Dig in the middle part with earth, which is adjacent to the soil.
- Do not touch the upper part of the stem. It should be on the surface.
- Water, take care.
- Next spring, separate the stem from the mother bush and dig up with roots, transplant to a new place.
In these ways, you can multiply oregano in the country. There are many seeds of an ornamental plant on the market now, but it is weaker than the seeds of a conventional (medicinal) motherboard.
Collection and storage of raw materials
Collecting oregano for medicinal preparations, you need in July-August, during flowering. Then the plant has the maximum amount of nutrients and essential oils. The stems are cut along with flowers and leaves, 10-15 cm long. Dry them in the shade or in a well-ventilated area. The dried stems need to be chopped and folded into glass jars or linen bags. Choose a cool dry place for storage. Such raw materials can also be used as a seasoning.
The use of oregano for medicinal purposes
Since ancient times, the mother has been used to treat diseases of the oropharynx and respiratory tract, to treat female diseases and as a sedative.
Oregano is used:
- As a sedative and mild sedative.
- For the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease).
- For itchy rashes on the skin.
- As an expectorant and diaphoretic, for coughs and colds.
- For the complex treatment of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- For the purpose of improving appetite and digestion.
- To regulate the menstrual cycle.
- With gastritis, colitis, flatulence.
For treatment, decoctions are used, which are consumed orally, make lotions, rinse the mouth. To prepare such a broth, you need to take a tablespoon of dry herb, pour a glass of boiling water and leave in a water bath for 15 minutes. Leave to cool at room temperature. Strain and use as needed, depending on the disease. You can steam the grass in a thermos. Then you need to insist for at least 3 hours.
Besides its medicinal uses, oregano is renowned for its culinary delights. This seasoning in Italy is added to pizza, in Greece to meat dishes and salads, and a sauce of olive oil, lemon juice and oregano is always on the table. Oregano is used in baked goods, for the preparation of first and second courses, and is added to tea. In cosmetology, they wash their face with a decoction of the motherboard, wash their hair. Aromatic oregano oil has a calming and relaxing effect. Dry grass is spread in cupboards to fight moths. In landscape design, oregano is used as an element of alpine slides, rockeries and mixborders. Low-growing varieties are used as soil, planted along alleys, curbs, in separate pots. These are the main areas of application for this plant, but not all. So, you should think about growing oregano in your country house.
Having oregano in your summer cottage, you can stock up on beauty and health. And the information provided will help with this. After all, growing a motherboard is not a difficult process, and this plant brings enormous benefits.
Methods for decorating a summer cottage, the independent production of pure herbal spicy plants that can be used for cooking, are increasingly of interest to summer residents. We bring to your attention a description of the popular spice - oregano (mother, amulet, oregano).
Oregano is a herbal perennial plant with a pleasant aroma, which puts it on a par with rosemary, mint and lemon balm, used everywhere.
Characteristics of culture
Before purchasing seeds, check out the main signs of oregano:
- The height of the spice bush reaches 70 cm.
- The root is creeping, branched.
- The stems are pubescent with a red base and have the ability to grow back every year.
- Leaves are dark green, oblong, 2-4 cm long.
- The flowers are small, red (white, yellow), forming a lush panicle.
- Fruits are triangular, consist of 4 nuts (0.5 mm long).
- Seeds are small, like poppy, red.
Please note that the plant is unpretentious to growing conditions and soil, cold-resistant, does not need shelter. It easily tolerates a hot climate, but in such conditions it grows small without watering. The spicy smell of the culture attracts bees to the garden and drives away harmful insects. 
Varietal variety of oregano
When choosing a type of aromatic spice, pay attention to its purpose. When breeding different varieties, breeders focused on decorative properties and quality of aroma, spicy qualities (the ability to use as a spice or for making tea), high yield. Varietal names speak for themselves:
- White oregano is a white decorative, high-yielding variety.
- The honey aroma is a red fruit variety with a strong aroma. Height up to 35 cm.
- Caramel has excellent spicy properties.
- Rainbow - has enhanced medicinal properties. Reaches a height of 60-70 cm.
Gardeners will probably want to try out ornamental varieties bred abroad:
- Variety is a small but sprawling shrub with white, fragrant flowers and greenish-golden foliage. Good flavor.
- Beauty Kent is a variety designed for planting in pots, decorating the veranda. The flowers-tassels of the plant have different colors.
- Herrenhausen is an oregano that attracts clusters of purple inflorescences.
Note that the bushes are of different sizes. Large ones will require a larger area and a greater distance between plants when planting. 
How to choose a landing site
Oregano loves sunny places. It can grow in the shade, but the sprout will stretch out, the flowering will be delayed, the aroma is weaker, the medicinal properties are lower. To plant a plant, choose the most illuminated place in your summer cottage or partial shade.
The culture can grow on any soil. You can grow a large crop on sandy loam, neutral acidity, well-drained soils. On acidic soils, the bushes grow unsatisfactorily.
The area should not be too dry or too wet. Oregano loves hydration, but not excessive moisture.
Culture propagation methods
Oregano can be bred in two ways - by seed and vegetatively by dividing the bush.
Sowing the spice with seeds is the most optimal for the initial planting. In large areas for sale, by the way, they grow oregano from seeds.
Traditionally, very small seed material is sown first for seedlings, since the seedlings are too tender, they are easily clogged by weeds. It is best to plant fully matured sprouts in open ground.
Features of sowing seeds for seedlings
Plant seeds for seedlings you should plant in March. Prepare the planting container before planting. This can be a plastic container, a wooden box, or a regular pot.
Drain the container with pebbles or broken bricks. Fill the container with loose earth, adding sand or agroperlite.
Follow these planting rules:
- Make grooves up to 1 cm deep or make holes up to 1.5 cm deep.
- Moisten the ground.
- Sow stuff.
- After sowing, sprinkle the seeds with earth (approximately up to 1 cm).
- Re-moisten the earth using the method of shallow shower from a spray, spray bottle.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap or glass to create a greenhouse effect (if you want to speed up germination).
- Maintain a seed germination temperature of 18-20 degrees.
- Moisten the soil as the soil dries.
The first shoots will appear in two weeks. When shoots appear, the cover should be removed. When 2-3 leaves appear on the sprouts, dive them into separate containers (pots, cassettes).
If necessary, arrange supplementary lighting with a phytolamp (or fluorescent lamps).
Planting seedlings in open ground occurs in May. Seedlings are planted that have reached two months of age.
Preparing the soil for planting seedlings
Undemanding oregano will also grow on unfertilized soil. And yet, in order to obtain lush greenery under this perennial spice, it is advisable to apply organic fertilizers in an amount per square meter in the fall:
- Humus - 3 kg.
- Complex mineral fertilizer - 2 tablespoons.
- 1 tablespoon superphosphate.
Rules for planting sprouts in open ground
Planting seedlings in open ground occurs in the month of May, when the ground is warm. In this case, the following recommendations are followed:
- bushes are planted with ribbons with a distance of 45-50 cm;
- leave 20 cm between the lines of the tape;
- in a row - 10-15 cm.
The distance will depend on the variety you choose. For short and tall varieties, the numbers will be different.
The planted plants do not bloom in the first year of planting and develop slowly. Flowering begins in the 2nd year of life. The bushes become lush, spreading, decorative. 
Sowing seeds in open ground
When sowing seed directly into open ground, you will need to carefully prepare the soil, free it from weeds as much as possible. Landing in May. The ground will warm up enough to start sowing. The seeds are small, when sowing, keep in mind that you will need to take 0.1 mg per 10 square meters. Perform the work in this order:
- Dig up the ground prepared in the fall shallowly, free it from the roots of the weeds, and loosen it well.
- Seeds are sown to a depth of 1 cm with row spacing of 25-45 cm.
- Compact the earth, moisten with fine sprinkling.
- Do mulching to retain moisture longer.
Seedlings will appear in 14-20 days.
Spice care technology
Spice care consists in watering, loosening, thinning, fertilizing, weeding. Fragrant bushes do not attract pests.
- Watering is carried out as needed in dry weather. Overall, oregano loves hydration.
- Mulching is carried out with rotted straw in order to retain moisture longer.
- For lush greenery, you should feed oregano. Apply fertilizer in this composition per square meter:
- ammonium nitrate -200, 300 g,
- superphosphate - 150-200 g,
- potash salt - 150-200 g.
Top dressing is done with complex fertilizer 2-3 times per season. Before flowering bushes, 0.5 tablespoons of nitroammofoska are added to 5 liters of water.
- Ornamental bushes do not need to be fed, as they overgrow and lose their decorative effect.
- The culture does not like weeds, weeding should be done regularly until the plant reaches maturity.
- Thinning is performed 2 weeks after germination. A distance of 15-20 cm is left between the plants. The torn shoots are used as seedlings.
- If you cut the flowers, the foliage will be thicker.
After the second year of growing oregano, vegetative propagation is performed by dividing the bush. A plant cannot grow in one place for more than 5 years. Therefore, in early spring, the bush is divided. The rhizomes of a plant with several shoots are transplanted to another place. 
Harvesting
You can start harvesting oregano after growing from seeds from the second year of plant development. In the first year, you can only cut it before winter.
Most varieties are harvested twice a season. The first time - before the spice begins to bloom, the second time - at the time of flowering in July.
At the first harvest, 3 branches can be removed from an adult bush, having a length of up to 20 cm.
In practice, the branches are tied in bunches and suspended in a shaded place (you can under a canopy), where the direct rays of the sun do not fall.
If you spread the grass on paper, you will need to turn it over from time to time. 
When the drying process is over, the leaves are removed from the branches and sent to storage in hermetically sealed glass containers. The stems are removed.
The shelf life of fragrant herbs is 2 years.
For medicinal use in dry sunny weather, the flowering well-leafy stems are cut. The drying temperature should not rise above 40 degrees. Essential substances evaporate at this temperature.
If you are going to harvest seeds from a shrub, choose a large shrub and leave it to bloom.
Seed collection takes place in September. It is necessary to cut off the shoot with seeds, dry them and manually grind the capsules to obtain seeds. Separate foreign debris. If necessary, the seed should be dried.
Store the material in paper bags in a dry place.
Oregano application
The leaves of the plant and flowering tops are used for the preparation of aromatic and peculiar teas, infusions, drinks, culinary spices, for pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
The culture is popular not only as a spice, but also has medicinal properties due to the high content of antioxidants, vitamin C, essential oil, and tannins. 
Fees are used in order to normalize the work of digestion.
To prepare the infusion, 10 g of herbs are poured with a glass of boiling water, insist, apply 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
The spice is included in the fees for the treatment of angina, pharyngitis, stomatitis and diathesis.
Tea has a calming and mild hypnotic properties, relieves headaches.
To protect against moths, use bags of grass, hanging them between clothes in closets.
Grow fragrant oregano in the country. Whether it is used in cooking, as a medicine or as a decorative element, the choice is yours.
Oregano is a versatile plant from the Yasnotkov family, it has not only spicy, flavoring and decorative properties, but also medicinal. In the wild, it is distributed in the Mediterranean, and in many other countries, including Russia, it is cultivated and widely used in cooking and homeopathy. Many people also know oregano as oregano, sausage herb, forest mint or incense.
Oregano is a perennial shrub, reaching a height of no more than 70 cm. The rhizome of the plant has a branchy creeping shape, and the stem is even with a tetrahedral branching at the top. Opposite leaves of a dark green color of medium-sized oblong shape.
Numerous flowers form fragrant paniculate-corymbose inflorescences that bloom in July and continue to bloom until October.
For the procurement of medicinal and flavoring herbs, gardeners often prefer to grow them on their backyard plots, especially if such useful plants also become a decoration of the garden. Oregano is not whimsical to grow, it feels great both in a sunny area and in a more shaded place. Under light cover or in a place protected from the cold north wind, it tolerates winter well in the conditions of the Moscow region. There are several ways to grow and propagate it.
One of the most common is sowing seeds. You need to sow seeds in the first decade of March. When the seedlings have risen and have grown a little stronger, they are dived into separate cups. When the threat of frost has passed, the already strengthened and hardened plant is planted in the prepared soil.
Sometimes it is more convenient not to bother with seedlings, but to transplant a ready-made oregano seedling into your site. To do this, in early spring, you can find a young bush in the forest, dig it up and plant it in your garden. An unpretentious plant can perfectly tolerate such a procedure and easily take root in a new place.
Oregano can independently root fallen stems and scatter seeds that have fallen into the ground.
How to choose planting material
If there is no desire or opportunity to look for oregano in the forest, you can buy a seedling in the store. It is better to buy it in a specialized garden center. When choosing, it is important to ensure the viability of the planting material. The rootstock of the seedling should be lively, branched and moist, and the stems should be juicy and resilient.
It is better to choose specimens with several formed stems. The number of purchased seedlings depends on how much crop you want to get. Also, the choice of a plant may depend on its variety and its yield.
To date, breeders have bred many varieties of oregano. They differ among themselves in terms of flowering, yield (more or less green mass per unit area), decorative and medicinal properties.
Varieties cultivated in Russia
- White. A high-yield variety with small, fragrant white flowers.
- Honey scent. A high-yielding shrub 30 cm high with fragrant purple flowers.
- Northern Lights. Reaches a height of 50 cm, has a high density of green mass, pink-purple flowers.
- Fairy. Mid-season high-yielding variety, large dark green leaf.
- Fragrant bunch. One of the most fragrant varieties, undersized (up to 30 cm), the leaf is omitted, the flower is light purple.
- Mila. A bush 50 cm high, a high-yielding and aromatic variety.
- Smart. A branchy plant with light blue flowers. High yield, allowing two cuts per season.
- Siberian melody. A branchy, leafy plant, growing up to 65 cm, high yielding with purple small flowers.
- Caramel. High-yielding variety with excellent taste. During the growing season, you can make two cuts.
- Arbat Semko. Abundantly deciduous plant 80 cm high, flowers mauve.
Regardless of the variety, oregano remains a spicy, medicinal and ornamental plant.
Preparing the soil and planting material for planting
When planting or driving a seedling from a pot into an open ground, the incense does not require additional processing. The bush takes root well in a new place and does not need special care. In order for the plant to take root as quickly as possible, it is necessary to prepare the soil in advance.
To do this, in the fall, you should dig up the place of the future planting, and humus should be introduced into the soil. An unpretentious plant takes root well in any soil, but a light one, enriched with organic matter with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction is preferable. Oregano is resistant to droughts, but in hot summers it requires additional watering.
Where is better to plant
It is better to plant oregano bushes in a sunny, elevated area. The garden should be made not wide, planting seedlings at a distance of 30 cm from each other, and between the rows to maintain about 50-60 cm.Thus, the plant is provided with the necessary lighting and space for the development of the root system.
Sausage herb is an excellent companion for other crops. Such a neighborhood is especially pleasant for plants in need of pollination. Oregano flowers attract bees and butterflies, which pollinate not only fragrant bushes, but also their neighbors. The only requirement for the neighborhood is not to shade her own bushes.
Features of planting in the ground
The best time to plant oregano in the ground is early spring and autumn, however, at not very high temperatures, the plant can be planted in the ground in summer. There are no special requirements for planting and caring for the plant. As described earlier, the soil for planting must be prepared in the fall, at the rate of 1 sq. M. 1 tablespoon of superphosphate for 2 buckets of humus. The plant does not require additional feeding during planting. When planting, the soil should be loose and well moistened with warm water.
Care during growth
The first time after planting, oregano seedlings need regular care. Moderately water them as the soil dries up with water heated in the sun at 18-20 ° C. It is also necessary to carefully remove weeds from the garden and regularly loosen the soil between the bushes for the best ventilation of the plant rhizome.
It is better to feed it before budding, so it will give abundant and long flowering and a good harvest. For feeding, you should dilute 1 tablespoon of nitroammofoska or ammonium nitrate in a ten-liter bucket of water. Apply fertilizer at the root, after loosening the soil.
Young seedlings need careful weeding, as weeds can kill immature seedlings.
Fragrant bushes are susceptible to aphid attack, which can be dealt with exclusively by natural methods without the use of chemicals.
Harvesting and storage
Oregano is harvested during flowering, depending on the type of plant, 1 or 2 times per season. The stem with flowers and leaves is cut off, while leaving 20 cm of the aboveground part.
To preserve the medicinal and spicy properties of oregano, when drying it, do not allow the temperature to rise above 40 ° C, so as not to provoke the evaporation of essential oils.
Well-dried forest mint can be stored in a tightly closed jar or bag for up to three years.
quite simple and will be within the power of even a novice gardener. In return for the effort spent, you will receive an environmentally friendly, home-grown seasoning for dishes, as well as healing raw materials for making tea, baths and inhalations.
Oregano - perennial herbaceous aromatic plant from the family Labiatae, with a creeping, branched rhizome. Stems 30-60 cm high, erect. Leaves are opposite, petiolate, oblong-ovate, finely toothed, dark green above, lighter below, pubescent with short hairs. Flowers are small, purple, numerous, collected in oblong inflorescences.
Oregano is often called wild marjoram, as its delicately scented leaves are very similar to marjoram. And in general, even in the literature it is confused with marjoram, but these are different plants, albeit relatives. And because of the mint flavor, oregano is equated in some countries with mint. Like lemon balm, its scent is very pleasant to bees, and hives are rubbed with oregano.
Dry grass and oregano flowers contain essential oil with a pleasant smell and bactericidal properties, ascorbic acid, carotene, thymol, tannins and other substances.
Oregano ordinary used as a sedative for neuroses, insomnia, headache, as well as gastritis with reduced secretory function, cholecystitis, tuberculosis.
In folk medicine e oregano is used for headaches, catarrh of the respiratory tract, colds, sexual disorders, rheumatism, lack of appetite and for strengthening baths.
Oregano stimulates the appetite, improves digestion and raises the general tone of the body - "cheers the heart". Oregano essential oil, the so-called hop oil, was our ancestors' favorite remedy for toothache. Finds oregano
common
application and as a good honey plant.
And most importantly, it is very important to plant oregano in his garden, in order to preserve the wild-growing natural gene pool of this plant.
Varieties oregano
Wild populations oregano quite varied in flower color and other characteristics.
The following varieties were created from their source material:
- Arbat Semko,
- White,
- Caramel,
- Smart,
- Rainbow,
- Northern Lights,
- Fairy,
- Khutoryanka.
For the industrial production of raw materials, the variety is of interest Rainbow.
In addition oregano common very decorative, and the following will be interesting for flower beds varieties foreign selection;
- Kompakshum- undersized variety, up to 20 cm high, flowers are small, pinkish;
- Variegata- differs from the main type in spectacular leaves with a white edging;
- Aureum- oregano with yellow flowers, height up to 25 cm.
Agricultural technology of cultivation oregano
Agrotechnology for growing oregano quite simple and will be within the power of even a novice gardener. In return for the effort spent, you will receive an environmentally friendly, home-grown seasoning for dishes, as well as healing raw materials for making tea, baths and inhalations.
The plant is very unpretentious and cold-resistant, it can grow on any soil. But the plant is photophilous and develops better in sunny, fertile areas. Watering is moderate, regular. Does not tolerate waterlogging and stagnation of water on the site.
Oregano easily propagated by cuttings, layering and division of the mother bush. Layers are made in May or September. For planting, take layers with 3-4 growth buds.
Oregano seeds are sown directly into the soil in early spring (in the Northwest - at the end of May), to a depth of 1 cm. After thinning the seedlings, leave a distance of 25 cm between the plants. Young plants need weeding and mulching of the soil. In the first year of oregano's life, it is recommended to remove the peduncles in order to promote the growth of the bush rosette. In one place, oregano can grow up to 10 years.
Oregano
common
rarely affected by diseases and repels most pests.
Collect, save, try
Blooming aboveground leafy stems of oregano are harvested as raw materials. , cutting off with knives or sickles tops up to 20 cm long. Dried raw oregano in the air in the shade or in a well-ventilated area. The dried raw material is lightly rubbed to remove the thickened stems.
The resulting dry oregano is stored in tightly closed jars in a dark place.
Raw leaves and young sprigs of oregano, with a pleasant spicy aroma, have long been used in Russia in kvass and homemade beer, to which, in addition to the smell, it gave the ability to persist for a long time.
In cooking, dried oregano is usually used, although the fresh plant has a richer taste. Dried oregano is found in many spice mixtures. The aromatic component of oregano is very strong, it is close to marjoram and caraway - strong, slightly astringent, tart, bitter-spicy.
Grass oregano used in the preparation of salads, spaghetti, tomato sauces, sausages, vegetable dishes. Oregano goes well with oven baked potatoes with olive oil and tomatoes, and is also good for all kinds of omelets.
It is added to cheeses, soups, etc. It is also used when roasting meat in the oven and grilling, as well as stewing meat, chicken, cooking canned food, pickling cucumbers. A proven dry mix combination is oregano with basil and black pepper.
Video: Oregano, an extraordinary plant! Medicinal properties
Oregano , a wonderful medicinal plant given to us by nature. It is a wonderful antiseptic that helps us fight various diseases. Oregano used for the treatment of stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers, chronic constipation, cramps in the stomach and intestines, as a choleretic in diseases of the liver, gallbladder, jaundice, worms and hemorrhoids.
TOhow to make a decoction of oregano : 2 tablespoons of dry, chopped herbs, pour 1 glass of boiling water, hold in a water bath for 15 minutes, then remove from heat and insist for another 45 minutes. Drink the broth warm, 1/3 cup, 2 times a day, 15 minutes before meals. Can be steamed in a thermos in the same proportions.
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