My Greek oregano survived winter but now tastes bitter

[mw44118]

I bought the plant last summer and we used the leaves all the time in cooking.

I was happy when the plant survived through our Cleveland, Ohio winter.

Now the plant is thriving. When I snack on the leaves, they are really awful. Very bitter. The flavor is too intense. The plant didn't taste this bad last year! What happened?

The plant gets plenty of water and has grown extensively.

I don't use any chemicals in my garden. I have heavy clay soil.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Hard to say MW. Could be a mineral deficiency, biological imbalance (perennial herbs like a slightly fungal soil), or another outside factor.

I am very suprised as I have been growing the same plants for a decade or more, moving them with me, handing them out to friends and family, and never having much issue. I do regularly lift and divide, which may be the key; I am always going back to a "new" plant in a manner of speaking.

That said I took the sides off of my biggest clump last fall and left the middle of the plant to start anew this year, and it's fine...



HG