Called the "herb of happiness," Origanum majorana, commonly known as sweet marjoram or knotted marjoram, is an herbal symbol of peace and well-being. Marjoram is grown as an annual in the colder parts of the world but is perennial in warmer regions. To keep it growing as a perennial, bring it indoors for the winter. Marjoram may be grown as a houseplant and as it has a tendency to trail when grown indoors, it makes a nice hanging basket. Marjoram has small, grey-green, oval-shaped leaves that are velvety to the touch. Tiny white or pink flowers, reddish stems, and the grey-green colour of the leaves make marjoram an attractive border plant.
Marjoram grows 10 ? 24 inches (25 ? 60 cm) tall. Cultivation requirements: does best in full sun (will tolerate slight shade); well-drained soil; no fertiliser; water soil sparingly but do not let dry out; pinch back the tips or harvest sprigs to use in cooking to keep it bushy and productive.
Marjoram is easily grown from seed or cuttings. For spring planting, start seed indoors 6 ? 8 weeks before your last frost date. Keep the soil moist during germination. After germination, move the seedlings into a sunny position, and transplant into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. If you are bringing marjoram plants in-doors for over-wintering, pot up in fresh potting soil. Check for critters and if your plants are infected, spray with a soap and water spray.
Marjoram requires at least 5 hours of sunlight a day. If you are growing marjoram on a windowsill, turn frequently to ensure all sides receive light. Marjoram can be grown under fluorescent lights. Hang the lights 6 inches (15 cm) from the plants and leave on for 14 hours a day.
In the garden, marjoram entices bees and butterflies for maximum nectar production and pollination. It is a good companion plant for all vegetables especially beets, eggplant, pumpkin, onions, and zucchini as it aids in their growth and fights off insects. Grow marjoram in pots in the garden as well as in the soil. In the kitchen, use in tomato dishes, onions, dairy, eggs, potato salad, soups, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, oil dressings for salads, carrots, and cauliflower. Fresh leaves and young shoots can be added to salads. It is a major ingredient, usually dried, in sausages, poultry seasonings, Italian recipes, or stuffings. Sprinkle fresh or dried marjoram on pizza. Sprinkle finely chopped fresh leaves on meat or fish before roasting, grilling, or baking. A tea can be made with marjoram to treat colds, headaches, and stomach upsets. Add 3 teaspoons (15 mL) fresh marjoram to 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water. Let steep, then drink slowly. Use marjoram sparingly as it is deceptively potent. Add during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Marjoram will keep several days in the refrigerator. The leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant starts blooming. The leaves dry easily and can also be frozen. Many cooks prefer marjoram rather than oregano (closely related), as marjoram is much less pungent. To make potpourri, dry leaves whole and then crush to release the scent.
Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace ? Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The Soul and the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Products. She owns the website Gwen's Healing Garden where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the books and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca
Gwen Nyhus Stewart © 2004 ? 2005. All rights reserved.
Chainsaws provide many years of service for very little upkeep.... Read More
Known as "joy of the mountain," Origanum vulgare is commonly... Read More
Imagine it's a special occasion and you've just received a... Read More
Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a... Read More
It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on... Read More
Pruning and deadheading are essential to proper rose care. Alas,... Read More
Push Reel Mowers are making a "comeback" of sorts, though,... Read More
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
A pond, logically, the first question you should ask is... Read More
Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the... Read More
You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More
The first thing you need to do when deciding to... Read More
Wooden Garden Furniture can be the ideal solution to various... Read More
When choosing a new greenhouse for your garden there are... Read More
Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests.... Read More
Outdoor furniture constructed with teak wood is a favorite among... Read More
When you decide to buy one bird house or more... Read More
Visualize watching a bright green hummingbird in your garden moving... Read More
Summer is here and it's time to plant and enjoy... Read More
In the past, the garden has traditionally been a separate... Read More
To achieve Koi pond aeration, there are some things you... Read More
Slapping yourself silly trying to keep mosquitoes from biting you?... Read More
The first thing to look for is the plant's grade.... Read More
A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used... Read More
Today is Thursday the 23rd of June and we're almost... Read More
The first thing you need to grow a pineapple is... Read More
Severe environmental stressors are the most frequent causes of sudden... Read More
Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of... Read More
Our flower garden in August can be brimming with activities... Read More
In many parts of North America, the end of "porch... Read More
Imagine a beautiful pattern of paving stones as the central... Read More
If you love herbal teas, as I do, you know... Read More
Preparing for the Winter Months: Gardening in OctoberWhen you feel... Read More
You have spent hours of time and quite a lot... Read More
Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me,... Read More
Tomatoes have always been my favorite garden vegetable to grow... Read More
One of my favorite plants is the large white-flowered Mystery... Read More
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a... Read More
Building your own water works system is quite simple and... Read More
No, ghosts of the Donner Party have not started haunting... Read More
Widely considered to be the most popular roses for... Read More
Since Victorian times metal garden furniture has become a popular... Read More
There are literally hundreds of types of roses that you... Read More
Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown... Read More
"Organic gardening is not just the avoidance of chemicals, in... Read More
When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured... Read More
If you look closely at the natural landscape, you'll never... Read More
Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,,... Read More
One of the long standing myths that I still hear... Read More
"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More
Creating no dig gardens on top of the soil gives... Read More
A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond... Read More
Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More
Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of... Read More
A principle of all art is unity. This means that... Read More
Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More
Twentieth century American architect Phillip Johnson once said, "I hate... Read More
Having an ultra violet pond filter will give you a... Read More
Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to... Read More
A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More
Buying discount patio furniture is an economical way to obtain... Read More
Adirondack chairs were invented during the early 1900's by a... Read More
My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban... Read More
When selecting plants for the landscape, is important to select... Read More
You can have different water pond designs, however ones that... Read More
Part four in a seriesIt's hard to think about winter... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |