Oregano is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. Oregano has been used in cooking and medicine for thousands of years and it is known for its strong pungent aroma and flavor. In culinary use, oregano is a popular herb in Italian, Greek and Mexican cuisine and it is often used to flavor tomato- based dishes, meats and salads. The dried leaves of oregano are commonly used in cooking but fresh leaves can also be used.
Allow oregano plants to grow to about 4 inches tall and then pinch or trim lightly to encourage a denser and bushier plant. Regular trimming will not only cause the plant to branch again, but also avoid legginess.
Harvest the leaves with sharp shears as you need them, once the plant is several inches tall. This will encourage new growth. Just don’t harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time. You can freeze the leaves to use during the winter. Oregano leaves store well and are easily dried. Keep them in an airtight container once dried.
The most flavor-filled leaves are found in mid-summer, right before the flowers bloom.
