Do you love oregano?  I use it in so many ways. Usually there is a container of oregano in my spice cabinet.

store bought oregano

You may have noticed that the price of spices has increased and those little bottles can be so expensive. I also have two beautiful plants in my garden so I can enjoy fresh oregano all summer long. I decided this year I would harvest my oregano. I imagine that the oregano I’ve grown myself will be much tastier than what I can purchase.

Oregano

There are actually several ways you can store oregano for use during the winter. You can freeze oregano to retain the most flavor and aroma. First you freeze entire branches on cookie sheets, then strip the leaves from the stems and put them back into the freezer in plastic bags.

freezing oregano

You can also dry oregano by cutting entire stalks from the plant and hanging them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot.

drying oregano

Store the dried oregano leaves in an airtight jar.

You want to harvest your oregano by cutting back the oregano plant three times during the growing season. The first time is when the plant is just about six inches tall, then again before it flowers and a third time late in the summer. Well I missed the first harvest (where does the time go?) but before my plant starts to flower I decided to harvest.

I decided to try both methods. I’m trying to keep my freezer empty because our meat chickens will be ready for the freezer in another 5-6 weeks. However I decided oregano wouldn’t take up too much room.

It will be fun to have my own oregano to use this winter, while at the same time saving money.

Linked to: Learning The FrugalLife, TheThriftyHome, WeAreThatFamily, FeminieAdventures, ThePrudentPantry

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