Oregano Dreams & How to Grow Your Own

I’ve used this blog to confess a few of my odd habits and/or stories, my coffee cravings and how the grounds help my garden grow, my sage-smudging blunders, my jonesing for fresh-squeezed-lemon in hot water before I can greet Facebook or the sun.

And now I confess my proclivity to all things odd as I admit, though I don’t remember any of my actions, I am a night-time-showering/sweater-sorting/caller-of-911/tennis-racket-swinging sleep “walker.”  But even as … strange as my many roommates will tell you my night-time personality may be, I am stating here, I will NOT wear oregano on my head to induce psychic dreams.  At least, not tonight. Because I must also confess, after researching the folklore of the herb, I’m dying to know if oregano placed on or near the head brings about visions and prophetic dreams.  It was also thought to be an antidote to poison, and protect one from evil.  So there’s that.

Even if you don’t ward away evil by planting oregano near your home or dream the winning Lotto digits, the herb has been linked to good lung health, due to its carvacrol and rosmarinic acid content. According to Organic Health’s Website, “both compounds are natural decongestants and histamine reducers that have direct, positive benefits on the respiratory tract and nasal passage airflow.”  And it’s a great flavorful seasoning for Italian dishes.

• Native to the Mediterranean region, oregano loves the sun, so choose a spot with full-sun to place your pot, or to plant in your garden.

• Most oregano can tolerate a moderate freeze, but if you live in a colder climate, consider planting in a container that can be moved indoors during the worst winter cold.

• Plant your seeds or cuttings 6 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost.

• Oregano loves loamy, gravelly soil, and moderate water, so be sure your container drains well if planting in a pot, and water when the soil feels dry.

• When the plant is about 8 inches tall, you can begin to harvest.  The flavor is most intense just before the plant blooms.

• Many prefer using dried oregano in cooking, which also allows you to preserve your harvest and trim back the plant to grow more densely.  To dry, hang the harvested leaves in a bunch, upside down, and when the leaves are crisp, remove from the stems, and store in a glass container.

And check out The City Farm’s handy garden tote, to keep all your growing tools on hand!

Will you be growing your own oregano?  Tell us here, or over on Facebook or Twitter!

(Photo credit:  Todd’s BBI)