Park Seed Italian Organic Oregano Seeds, Pack of 100 Seeds - 05878-PK-P1

• Days to Maturity: 80 to 90 from direct sow Pungently aromatic, the fragrance alone will start your mouth watering & even when it's not in bloom with clusters of lavender-pink flowers, the plant is attractive enough with its red-flushed green leaves and purple-brown stems to take its place alongside flowering plants in the bed or border. Whether you grow this perennial as a flowering beauty or a culinary herb, you will appreciate its ease of culture, spicy scent, and handsome garden presence. Italian oregano is one of the most important herbs in Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisine. Mainly used dry (the flavor is much more intense when the leaves are dried), oregano pairs perfectly with the bold flavors of tomatoes, onion, garlic, and beef. (And interestingly, the oil is often an ingredient in men's colognes. Who knew?) Oregano is at the heart of all the great spaghetti sauces, lasagnas, and other Neapolitan dishes you prepare, so why not grow it in the garden or in a patio container? Italian oregano is a bushy perennial with broad 1½-inch leaves. The foliage becomes ready to pick when plant is just 6 inches high or so about three months after sowing, when it has been transplanted into its final container or sunny garden, & it is growing & branching reliably. Most of us pick the leaves on an as-needed basis all summer, but if you want to grow this plant just to dry the foliage as spice, wait until midsummer to harvest.The flavor deteriorates when this plant starts to bloom. Oregano is perennial, thriving in full sun and soil that's on the dry side. Once established in your garden, this plant will want to dry out a bit between waterings. When you do water it, do so thoroughly, letting the water really penetrate deeply into the soil. This will encourage roots to grow down and find their own water sources, meaning even less maintenance for you. Sow seeds in well-drained to dry, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun, or start them indoors in your Bio Dome or seed flats. They germinate in about two weeks. Even if you aren't using the fresh leaves as seasoning, trim the plant back every few weeks throughout the growing season to encourage better branching and the formation of more foliage.