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Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2022 4:39 pm
by pepperhead212
I harvested two herbs today, since we are under a freeze warning - marjoram (something I like better fresh, than oregano) and Syrian oregano. They dry easily, and, while both are fairly winter resistant, and grow back in the spring, I take a few of these every year, mostly the Syrian oregano, since it is the least cold proof, and root them in pots on my back porch! I put the Syrian oregano in my hydroponics the first off season I had it, but it grew too much, like it was on steroids! Fortunately, it comes back up every winter, but I can't be too careful! I just strip about 2" of a stem, and dunk them in rooting hormone, and put 2 in each of some spots in a Jr Earthbox, on my back porch. The rest of these I'll dry - they keep flavor well, and leaves strip from the stems easily.
ImageMarjoram (L), and Syrian (a.k.a. thyme scented) oregano, harvested when freeze is forecast. by pepperhead212, on Flickr

Re: Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:48 pm
by Danny
Majoram is a favorite here, good in many dishes even in a salad dressing. Love the scent of drying herbs in the house, smells like that make me hungry, LOL!!

Re: Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:11 pm
by Tormato
Marjoram (dried) is my favorite herb. It just about doubled in price since last year. Maybe I'll start growing some.

Re: Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 8:59 pm
by greenthumbomaha
Tormato wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 7:11 pm Marjoram (dried) is my favorite herb. It just about doubled in price since last year. Maybe I'll start growing some.
Drats I just dumped this for compost to make space. However ...
Marjoram grows very easily in a pot indoors if you have a moderately sunny windowsill. Go ahead and start now (overseed to make up for indoors) it is a decent grower. Personally the fresh version is not a favorite of mine, and I let the lush summer growth dry "naturally" in the pot once brought indoors. I didn't have the heart to leave it outside to freeze it was still so healthy.

- Lisa

Re: Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 9:29 pm
by greenthumbomaha
pepperhead212 wrote: Mon Nov 14, 2022 4:39 pm I harvested two herbs today, since we are under a freeze warning - marjoram (something I like better fresh, than oregano) and Syrian oregano. They dry easily, and, while both are fairly winter resistant, and grow back in the spring, I take a few of these every year, mostly the Syrian oregano, since it is the least cold proof, and root them in pots on my back porch! I put the Syrian oregano in my hydroponics the first off season I had it, but it grew too much, like it was on steroids! Fortunately, it comes back up every winter, but I can't be too careful! I just strip about 2" of a stem, and dunk them in rooting hormone, and put 2 in each of some spots in a Jr Earthbox, on my back porch. The rest of these I'll dry - they keep flavor well, and leaves strip from the stems easily.
ImageMarjoram (L), and Syrian (a.k.a. thyme scented) oregano, harvested when freeze is forecast. by pepperhead212, on Flickr

@Pepperhead, do you know of an Italian type oregano variety for pizza sauce that has nice easy to pick leaves like that Syrian variety?
I usually grow several pots of Greek and I tried one called Pizza from the same company. The leaves are so small I don't think it is worth the space in pots nor the chore to de-stem them . Regular tall oregano grows all over the garden and doesn't have enough flavor for me so I leave their purple flowers for the bees.

Open to trying new (after last years $1 plants binge skipping mint and lemon scents) savory herb varieties this year. I can say with certainty my daughter is not a participant in any gardening forum , so I can disclose I sent her another gift box of random curry spices purchased today from Pensey's, which she had appreciated and used last year. Would like to experiment growing in that direction in my short season northern garden.

- Lisa

Re: Syrian oregano and marjoram - last harvests of the season.

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 10:50 pm
by pepperhead212
@greenthumbomaha I wasn't crazy about the Greek oregano, either; it spread too fast, and the dried oregano I would buy, always seemed better - one of the only herbs I liked dried better! However, that marjoram I like, fresh or dried, and it is great in Italian dishes. And it doesn't spread as rampantly as oregano. And the leaves are somewhat large, and strip from the dried stems easily.