PROGRAM AREAS

	Agriculture
	Community Development
	Family Living
	Horticulture
	Nutrition Education
	4-H Youth Development

OFFICE RESOURCES

OTHER RESOURCES

	Marathon County Government
	InfoSource
	UWEX Cooperative Extension
	UWEX Publications

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You'll find one of the most complete sources of horticulture information for Wisconsin at Wisconsin Horticulture Updates. See what University specialists, and experts from around the state have to say about horticultural tips, insects, diseases, and more, including a calendar of local, statewide, and national events.

Phenology Tip of the Week

Don't forget to purchase potting soil for your container plantisngs. It is worth the extra cost bo buy soil that includes a wetting agent which will help it absorb and retain moisture more uniformly. Soil in containers should be replaced at a minimum of every other year. Add the old soil to your compost pile.,

Want more tips, visit our Weekly Phenology Tip achive >>>

Oregano

An essential flavoring in Italian cuisine, this herb is also used in Spanish, North African and Greek cooking. There are several different species of oregano. In Wisconsin many species are not hardy and are better grown as annuals or pot plants. Greek oregano (Origanum heracleotium or O. vulgare subsp. hirtum) is more flavorful but less hardy than European or common oregano (O. vulgare). The related sweet marjoram, O. majorana, is not winter hardy here and tastes different than oregano.

Greek oregano, the most common type available, grows low to the ground, rooting as it grows outward. It is a vigorous spreader, but not invasive. Grow oregano from seed or purchased plants in well-drained soil with full sun. Harvest a few sprigs at a time after the shoots are 4-5” tall. To dry, tie in bunches and hang in a warm, dry shaded place until crisp. Then strip the leaves from the stems and store in an airtight container.

Information provided by the North Central WI Master Gardener Association, UW-Extension Master Gardeners, and Marathon County UW-Extension.