May is the time to plant your Oregano and Marjoram
What’s the difference between these two herbs? It's quite simple: all varieties of marjoram are in fact oreganos - but it is critical that you use the right plant for the right recipe.
Botanically, the name for both is now Origanum, so what used to be called Wild Marjoram is actually now Common Oregano (Origanum vulgare). There are many different varieties, all of which are easy to grow, well suited to containers and very useful in the kitchen as well as as natural remedies.
Having grown many varieties, I recommend three, all of which can be grown from seed at this time of year.
First, the hardy perennial Common Oregano (Origanum vulgare). This is great for drying for home decoration, growing up to 90cm high with clusters of mauve flowers. When grown in Northern France, the scent of the leaf is aromatic, but not strong, so this is not the variety to grow for cooking. The ancient Greeks and Romans valued Oregano for its potent antiseptic properties and believed that bunches hung in a room brought well-being, and placed in a room where the children sleep, would inspire sweet dreams.
The best, in my opinion, for Italian and Mediterranean Cuisine is Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum). This is also a hardy perennial, but is more of a ground cover plant growing to 30cm. The hairy leaves are highly aromatic, and the flavour is enhanced when dried. Essential to sprinkle on top of your pizzas, or adding to pasta sauces. It is also great added to salad dressings, and to legumes and pulses where it acts to reduce the flatulent side effects!
The third, which is not so widely grown, is Sweet Marjoram (Origanum marjorana). This is half-hardy, so is best grown as an annual and is highly aromatic with a very heavy balsam floral fragrance.
This should be used in culinary recipes that call for marjoram rather than oregano, and is a component of the French bouquet garni, flavouring soups and stews.
I use Sweet Marjoram for pot-pourris, since it retains it's fragrance very well, but it's herbal use is to relieve painful swellings and rheumatism. Make a strong Sweet Marjoram tea, soak a cotton cloth and wrap the cloth around parts of the body to relieve pain, inflammation, sprains and bruises. Overwrap with a larger warm cloth and make as airtight as possible.
All the Oreganos are very tolerant of most conditions and require very little care: they prefer full sun, and tolerate drought very well. The leaves should be harvested just before they begin to flower - if harvested when the flowers have set seed, the taste becomes more bitter.
An alternative is to trim off the flower heads when they form - in this way, the leaves can be harvested in small amounts through to November.
Wild and Greek Oregano can be sown in a seed bed directly outside in April. In the case of the tender Sweet Marjoram, it's better to sow indoors in pots and gradually harden off the plants, after which they can be potted up or planted outside.
