Oregano

Origanum vulgare

You can use oregano fresh or dried. It spreads out over time and comes back every year. Most of the top dies back in winter and new shoots come up in spring. It has the most flavour in full sun and in poor soil that drains quickly. It's best picked just before the flowers open.

Looking after it

Water: Once settled, oregano copes with dry spells. Water new plants when it's dry. Settled plants in the ground need no extra water. In a pot, water it in hot, dry weather, but never let the compost stay soggy. Feeding: Oregano needs very little food. Plants in the ground need no feeding. A plant that has been in the same pot for more than a year can have a sprinkle of general fertiliser granules in late spring or early summer.

Picking and keeping

Pick shoots from late spring to autumn and strip off the leaves. The flavour is best before the flowers open. After flowering, cut the plant back and it will grow a fresh batch of leaves. Clear away the old stems in late winter. It dries well. Hang sprigs in a dark, airy place for a few weeks. Then strip off the leaves and keep them in an airtight jar.

What can go wrong

Mint rust. Orange or brown powdery spots appear under the leaves and shoots come up twisted in spring. Cut the affected stems down to the ground. Put them in the bin, not on the compost.
Leafhoppers. Small jumping insects suck the sap and leave pale, blotchy patches on the leaves. The damage only spoils the look, so you can leave them alone.
Mint moth. Small caterpillars eat the leaves in summer and spin them together. The damage is usually slight. Pick off the caterpillars if it bothers you.

Growing facts: RHS, UC ANR and seed-company sowing guides. Oregano care: RHS. pH: University of Connecticut soil testing lab (marjoram) and NC State extension.