Oregano 'Turkish' Seeds

Oregano 'Turkish' - 350-400x Seeds

Oregano onites, also known as Cretan oregano or Turkish oregano, is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region. It is prized for its aromatic, slightly spicy leaves, which are used as a seasoning in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The plant has small, white to pinkish flowers and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Oregano onites is rich in essential oils, giving it a robust flavor and making it a popular choice for cooking, especially in sauces, meats, and vegetables. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Timing
Start indoors in plug trays from February to April. Starting indoors is more reliable than direct sowing. Use bottom heat to achieve a constant soil temperature of 15°C for best results. Germination occurs in 7 to 14 days.

Starting
Oregano seeds are dust-like, so handle them with care. Prepare your containers or plug trays using sterilised seed starting mix, and water the soil. Then try to evenly distribute the tiny seeds on the surface of the soil. Do not bury them. Using bottom heat will improve your success rate. As seedlings grow, keep soil on the dry side. Pot on as necessary or transplant to the garden from mid-May on.

Growing
Grow in a sunny and warm spot. Aim for 25cm between plants. Cut plants back after flowering to prevent them from getting straggly. As autumn approaches, divide some to bring inside over winter. Cut back the year’s growth for the rest of your oregano to about 6cm from the soil.

Harvest
Pick the leaves whenever available for use. Oregano leaves can be dried or frozen. Store dried leaves or whole stalks in air tight containers away from bright light.