SAFLAX Garden in the Bag - Organic - Oregano - 1500 seeds - With cultivation substrate in an easy to handle stand up bag. - Origanum heracleoticum Traditional Italian pizza herb and a classic in Herbes de Provence (French mixture of dried herbs) Create the perfect environment for a successful cultivation process. Garden in the Bag provides the nurturing substrate in the practical standup bag. Just add water and watch as the dried, light block produces abundant cultivation substrate for your seeds in just a few minutes. The aromatic and slightly bitter Oregano belongs to the perennial herbs and carries pointed and somewhat ovate leaves. Out of its pleasant-smelling pink or purple lipped flowers the plant develops its seed stems when the flowers wither. Oregano has especially in the Mediterranean cuisine much significance and is - for example along with Thyme - always part of the herb mixture Herbes des Provence. In the kitchen: The strong flavour of Oregano goes very well with Mediterranean dishes. It is the pizza herb number one, but it also gives a distinct aroma to many other southern dishes and side dishes like tomato sauce or moussaka. Oregano gives an interesting touch not only to summer dishes, but also to hearty potato stews. It is also often used for seasoning vegetables, e.g. aubergines and peppers. Fresh cut Oregano has a somewhat milder taste than the dried one. Its aromatic flowers make a nice garnish and are good to eat as well. Other than with other herbs, you should add the spice at least 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time to get the full flavour. Kept in a plastic box, you can store fresh cut Oregano in the fridge for a couple of days. Like many other herbs it can also be frozen. Oregano is one of the few herbs that develops a more intense aroma when it is dried. The best time to do so would be during or after blooming. Cut the whole twigs and hang them in a bundle upside down for drying. After they have dried completely, you may rub the leaves and blooms off the stems and keep the spice in a sealed container at a dark place. Natural Location: Oregano has its origins in the eastern Mediterranean. Cultivation: The best time for propagation is starting in February at a sunny place indoors as the seed is a light germinator. Scatter the seeds onto moist coconut substrate or organic herbal soil and slightly press them on. Cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the soil from drying out, but dont forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on the potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20C and 25 Celsius and keep the surface of the earth moist, but not wet (ideally using a water sprayer). Depending on the propagation temperature the first seedlings will come up after two to five weeks. Seedlings that are already raised indoors can be planted out with beginning of May. As soon as there is no more night frost expected, you can move the seedling with its complete root ball, to avoid stress for the plant. Place: The plant needs the sun, warmth and a wind-sheltered place to produce its full aroma. Care: Keep the soil always moist, but not wet. Water your plant as soon as the top layer of the earth has dried out. Fertilize the plant either very modest with compost or organic fertilizer for herbs, or dont fertilize at all. During Winter: Sow again the next year.