🌿 Oregano

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is hardy, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow: 🌱 Climate: Hardy perennial, USDA zones 4-10 🌱 Temperature: Very hardy; tolerates heat and cold 🌱 Soil: Well-draining, average to poor, pH 6.0-8.0 🌱 Light: Full sun required 🌱 Water: Drought-tolerant; prefers dry conditions 🌱 Spacing: 12-15 inches apart 🌱 Container Growing: Excellent in containers 🌱 Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, or division 🌱 Seeds: Surface sow, germination 7-14 days 🌱 Growth Rate: Moderate; forms spreading mat 🌱 Height: 12-24 inches tall 🌱 Spreading: Spreads but not invasively 🌱 Pruning: Trim regularly to encourage bushiness 🌱 Greek vs. Italian: Greek oregano is more potent for cooking and magic Oregano thrives on neglect - perfect for hot, dry spots.

Oregano dries beautifully and intensifies in flavor: ☀️ Harvest Timing: Just before flowering for best flavor and magic ☀️ Best Time: Morning after dew dries ☀️ Cutting: Harvest stems, leaving 2-3 inches of growth ☀️ Bundling: Tie small bundles, hang upside down ☀️ Location: Warm, dark, well-ventilated area ☀️ Duration: 1-2 weeks ☀️ Dehydrator: 95-110°F (35-43°C) for 3-5 hours ☀️ Test: Leaves should crumble easily; stems should snap ☀️ Color: Should remain green ☀️ Flavor Intensifies: Dried oregano is stronger than fresh ☀️ Magical Timing: Harvest on Wednesday for health magic Oregano is one of the few herbs that improves with drying!

Oregano stores excellently for years: 🏺 Container: Airtight glass jar 🏺 Location: Cool, dark, dry spice cabinet 🏺 Shelf Life: 2-3 years 🏺 Whole vs. Crushed: Store leaves whole; crush when needed 🏺 Light Protection: Preserves color and oils 🏺 Label: Mark with harvest date 🏺 Potency: Maintains strong flavor and magic long-term 🏺 Magical Storage: Keep with other protective Mediterranean herbs Signs of Degradation: • Loss of pungent, spicy aroma • Yellowing or complete browning • Dusty, flavorless texture Well-stored oregano maintains protective properties for 3+ years.