Growing Sweet Marjoram, also Knotted marjoram
Origanum majorana : Lamiaceae / the mint family
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | |||||||||||
| T |
(Best months for growing Sweet Marjoram in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)
- S = Plant undercover in seed trays
- T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
- Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F.
- Space plants: 8 inches apart
- Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Best flavour if picked before flowering.
- Compatible with (can grow beside): Peppers (Capsicums, Chilis), Sage,
Sweet marjoram, from the same family as oregano, is a fragrant and useful herb. The name Knotted Marjoram comes from the way the flowers are collected into roundish close heads like knots.
Can be sown direct but the seeds are very small and should be very lightly covered, so it is easier to sow in boxes and plant out at about 15 cm to 20 cm tall.
It does well in a container and can be grown under cover for use during the winter. It hates winter cold and wet and does best with a temperature of 22 C during the day and 15 C at night.
Culinary hints - cooking and eating Sweet Marjoram
Sweet Marjoram has a mild oregano flavor with a hint of balsam.
Sweet Marjoram can be used as a substitute for oregano in sauces for mediterranean style pizza, lasagna, and eggplant parmigiana.
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