Herb Garden Plants… Choose The Right Ones for Your Lifestyle
Herb garden plants come in annuals, perennials, and biennials much like other types of plants.
There are so many different types of herbs and each one is different. If you are interested in specific types of herb garden plants, you should research that one to understand the care it needs and how to use it properly.
This article will get you started in understanding general different types of herb plants and what they are used for.
Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost.
They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year. Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive colder temperatures and will return year after year.
Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Biennial herbs like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden.
Prepare the soil first by working it to a fine texture and wet it slightly. Plant the seeds in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them.
Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly. You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herb garden plants are also grouped into the categories for which they are used.
Culinary herbs are probably the most useful to herb gardeners. They have a huge range of different uses in cooking.
Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food.
Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish.
Aromatic styles have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage and make for excellent herb garden plants.
Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents. Parts of aromatic herb plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing.
They can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time.
Lavender and lemon verbena are great herbs to use for potpourri.
Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body. Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herbs are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated.
Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Most herb garden plants are grown for eating however some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance.
Some herbs are also used for their beauty. Ornamental herbs have brightly colored flowers and foliage. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers.
While herbs can be categorized into these different categories of uses, many herbs have multiple purposes. For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control.
Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to pick the herbs that will be most useful to you
Basil Herbs for Variety & Delight
Basil herbs have long been a staple inhabitant of the home kitchen.
They features very prominently in Italian cuisine, as well as dishes from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Numerous types of basil herbs exist, though sweet basil is the most common type available.
You will also find Asian basil varieties have a stronger flavor than those native to the Mediterranean area, with a strong clove-like taste. Lemon basil is an interesting herb if you like an infusion of lemony flavor and traditional basil taste.
Usually, only the leaves are utilized in cooking.
Most dishes call for a specified amount of ground, chopped or diced basil, depending on the amount of flavor needed and the type of dish being prepared. However, in some cultures, basil flowers are added to salads, which produces a unique zesty flavor.
Growing basil at home is usually not a difficult undertaking, though if your home is in northern climatic zones, you will most likely need to grow your basil indoors.
Basil herbs are annuals, though in some very warm climates it can grow year round (though it remains an annual). The first consideration you’ll need to make if you want to grow basil herbs at home is to determine what climatic zone your are within.
This will determine where you can grow the herbs.
If your home is in a relatively warm zone, then you can plant it outdoors. Basil is a sun-loving plant and will thrive with heat and sunlight.
You’ll also need to ensure that the plants receive plenty of water, as they can consume quite a bit.
Ideally, you should begin soil preparation in the fall, though you might choose to start your basil indoors and plant sprouts after the danger of frost has passed. As a note, cold weather and frost will put a quick end to your basil growing experience.
If you intend to grow basil indoors, you will need to water the plants frequently and ensure they receive sufficient warmth. As a note, central heating can dry out basil quite quickly, so you might need to use a mister to keep the leaves wet and avoid dehydration.
If you’re wanting to use the leaves to flavor your dishes, rather than growing basil as an ornamental plant, you will need to ensure that the plant does not flower.
Once basil herbs come to flower, leaf production and further growth in flower-bearing stems will stop, thereby eliminating any more leaves for cooking.
You can pinch off flower buds before they open, but you will need to keep a close eye on the plant or risk losing that source of amazing flavor.
Basil herbs can offer you access to a tremendous variety of flavors, depending on your wants and needs.
With a bit of research and study, you can use sweet basil, lemon basil and even exotic Eastern basils to tremendous results.
In addition, the plant’s aroma and beauty make it an ideal option for outdoor use, even in situations where you want a more ornamental solution.
A Home Herb Garden… Cook's Paradise!
Herbs and a home herb garden are the cook’s best friends!
Anyone can roast a steak or bake a pasta dish… however the herbs and the spices are what magically transform adequate food into something delicious and enticing.
Don’t underestimate the value of herbs or think that processed foods contain all the herbs you need!
Improve your health
Herbs can help you and the family cut back on salt, fat and sugar, help improve the aroma and taste of meals, and some even contain antioxidants that can help prevent diseases from developing.
If you have ever moaned and groaned about the price of herbs or felt that store-bought herbs lack a certain natural goodness to them, then maybe you should consider starting your own home herb garden.
What should you know about planting your own home herb garden?
It’s not difficult, but will require some effort, and more importantly, some reminders, so that your plants continue to grow in a healthy manner.
For example, the time you choose to plant your herbs will be significant. Herbal experts suggest that you plant herbs after the last day of winter frost, right around springtime.
This can prevent the accidental loss of plants due to late freezes.
What’s great about a home herb garden is that you can put it almost anywhere in the house, from your kitchen windowsill to out on a patio.
Give them plenty of sunlight
One thing is for certain: your garden, regardless of its place, will require a great deal of sunlight, whether they lay outside or are in front of a window. If you are keeping the plant inside, then fluorescent lighting plus an occasional glimpse of real sunlight will suffice.
All you need in addition to a good place for the garden is the pots or containers as well as the soil. One decision you will have to make will be whether you want to put multiple herb plants in a longer pot or plant them individually in their own container.
Ask the nursery for ideas on what herbs grow best on windowsills or in the home.
For example, Oregano grows if it gets a great deal of sunlight, while basil grows best in an outside setting. Rosemary though, is a trooper and grows all year round with minimum care.
Make a conscious effort to water your plants just the right amount (not overwatering) and also make sure there is adequate draining to avoid soil disease.
If you notice that the herbs are struggling you may have to replace the soil or mix in plant foods, as all the nutrients have drained out.
A home herb garden is ideal for people who enjoy using herbs in every day life.
This option eliminates the need to buy herbs from the store and lets you experiment with various types of herbs for cheap. Furthermore, herbs contain the highest amount of vitamins and minerals when they are freshly picked.
Some cooks simply like the freshness of using herbs straight off the plant! You could easily use these herbs in seasoning, cooking, sprinkling or even making fresh tea.
A home herb garden overflowing with beautiful, fresh, full-flavored herbs… what a refreshing alternative.
The Herbs Guide… a Kitchen Must Have
The Herbs Guide… a Cook’s Best Friend
You will never grow as a cook until you ditch the Acme Hamburger Helper cookbook and start branching out into herbs and spices. The seasoning is what makes the meal become your own.
It’s the difference between tolerating food and enjoying every morsel. There are hundreds of different herbs and spices you could use.
What might help you is to order an herbs guide, which details all the many different types of herbs used in cooking.
You can learn about the joys of using apricot, the subtleties of bittersweet, or the pungent tastes of lime, nutmeg and sage. There are herbs best used for aromatherapy and health, and then there are culinary herbs which truly make a meal come to life.
The cooking herbs
Some of the most popular types of herbs used for cooking include basil, oregano, parsley, hyssop, rosemary, lavender and cilantro.
An herbs guide could tell you that basil provided a minty and peppery taste, and is
ideally used for pesto, veggies and soup. On the other hand, oregano has strong tastes of pepper and marigold and is ideally used on pasta, pizza and fish.
Parsley has a green and almost grass-like taste and must be used carefully on such appetizers as pasta, rice and salads. Cilantro also has a distinctly grassy taste but is more often used on Tex Mex dishes as well as Thai food.
Sage has a strong favor of earth and is best used with poultry and cheese.
An herbs guide can also provide information on mixing herbs for the best taste and aroma.
Experienced cooks will tell you to measure seasonings precisely, especially when beginning your new cooking career. If you use too much of one herb then it can easily over power the other and ruin any subtlety you intended.
It’s much better to start out with a little bit of seasoning and then continually add more until you reach the desired taste.
Otherwise, you risk tainting the whole meal.
In addition, you want to use herbs that naturally complement one another. Take the advice of cooks around the globe and stick to accepted guidelines. There are many combinations that simply don’t go well together.
Read up on these before attempting to cook for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, just go at it cautiously; you never know, you may like a blend that no one has ever considered before!
An herbs guide can help transform you into an accomplished cook and your kitchen into a chef’s paradise.
You can make main courses sizzle and you can turn vegetables and pasta into more than just a side. Knowing how to use herbs can even turn a plate of salad into the best meal of the night.
Master Chefs frequently state in interviews that the most important factors involved in cooking a meal are seasoning and fresh ingredients. It shouldn’t surprise you then to know that many chefs grow their own herb plants to have a fresh supply of herbs on hand whenever they need it.
If you’re set to start cooking for the masses, kick it off with an herbs guide and get ready to rock ‘n roll!
Ever Considered an Herb Garden Kit?
Make you life much easier with an herb garden kit.
When it comes to herb gardening, one should have the right tools for the job. Just as a racecar driver has his car finely tuned & specially equipped, growing herbs is much easier if you have the right equipment, such as a herb garden kit.
Also, if one should aspire to be the best herb gardener, it is best to do some research so you have an intimate knowledge of herb gardening. Just like a racecar driver would not go racing without the right equipment nor the understanding on racing.
So too must a gardener be prepared.
Herb garden kits are readily available in garden supply stores and generally they contain the basic tools and equipment you would need to get started on herb gardening.
There are different kits depending on which type of herb you wish to grow.
There are Italian herbs, culinary herbs, international herbs, German herbs, herbal tea herbs, salsa herbs among others to numerous to mention here.
Though each herb kit has their differences, there are the basics that each kit would contain.
Obviously, all herb kits would include some seeds, some may have a dome to keep the temperature and humidity level constant.
All kits would have an instructional guide to help the beginning herb gardener start out well. Some of the kits will have recipes for dishes that use the certain herb you are growing.
A nice extra made available in this information age is that most kits would include a website or online newsletters you could subscribe to that would furnish you with additional information regarding growing herbs or recipes and other tips and tricks.
All kits will include a planter where your herbs will be grown in, as well as soil and pellets to help your herbs flourish.
A herb garden kit can generally accommodate outdoor or indoor herbs, but most will be for the indoor herb gardener. Indoor herb gardening has advantages over outdoor herb gardens. To start with, your herbs would be in a location that is easy for you to access, no matter the weather.
Harvesting your herbs is also made easier as well.
A domed kit will give your herbs a constant growing environment that will have them growing healthy even in the harshest winter months, without you worrying about frost.
Also, you can control the amount of sunlight your herbs get during the day by shuffling them around.
Same goes with rainfall, you can control the amount of water your herbs receive, and as long as you follow your instructional guide, the chances of over watering or under watering your herbs are greatly reduced.
Probably the best thing about indoor herb garden kits is that they are small and compact, giving apartment dwellers with limited space a chance to have their own garden, without a physical garden to speak of.
Starting out in herb gardening has never been easier with herb garden kits.
Together with the instructions, the materials you would need, and your dedication, your herbs will flourish in no time, and besides, what better way is there to feel good about yourself than accomplishing something all your own?
Of course practice, knowledge and the passion to make it all work is part of it, and as with all things in life, these ingredients make for a successful venture whatever you choose to do.
Growing Herbs in Pots
Looking to do some herb gardening, but with pots instead of a garden? Growing herbs in pots is not that much different than growing herbs the normal way, in a garden.
Though some plants may be a little fussy about what they grow in, herbs, fortunately, are not. From pots to window boxes to hanging baskets, herbs can be grown in almost any container you can find.
If it holds soil, you can grow a herb in it
Three things are essential for all plants; the right amount of sunlight, the proper soil, and a proper balance of water. As with anything in life, whether plant or not, excessive amounts of anything may prove harmful, even fatal.
So growing herbs in pots means placing the pots in sufficient sunlit areas.
A room with a window facing the sun is a good start. Though be careful with how much sunlight you expose your herbs to, so it’s best to know which type of herbs you have and how much sunlight they require.
Different herbs require different sunlight exposure.
For dimmer places without much sunlight, you can supplement the light source using “grow lamps” or even plain fluorescent lamps. For soil requirements, herbs flourish in well drained soil that’s not too rich.
A good potting mix for herbs in containers is two parts sterilized potting soil and one part coarse sand or perlite. Each pot should have at about an inch of gravel in the bottom to promote proper drainage.
A flooded pot is dangerous to herbs.
Supplementing the soil with lime (about one teaspoon per 5-inch pot) also helps your herbs flourish. When it comes to watering your plants, it is a good idea to mist the leaves and moisten the pebbles to provide humidity for the herbs.
Growing herbs in pots means having to water them more than the garden variety, but always make sure drainage is present to avoid drenched or soggy herbs.
Growing herbs in pots give you an added advantage over herbs grown in gardens, in that you can easily shuffle your plants around the house, out in the garden, or back in your kitchen.
Annual herbs
Annual herbs need not be shuffled in and out of the house, but perennial herbs would do well to be taken outdoors during the summer months. As a rule, all herbs are to be brought inside during the first frost, except for mint, chives and tarragon.
These herbs go into a rest period then form a firmer and fresher growth after a light frost. Though most herbs do well growing in containers, some are suited to pots more than others, like mint. Mint, if planted in a garden, has the tendency to overrun all your other plants like a weed.
Overall, growing herbs in pots is relatively easy.
All you need to do to be able to care for and ensure a healthy stock of herbs is to remember to follow the tips provided above, as well as periodic light feeding and yearly repotting.
Replanting annuals each year, and moving perennials outdoors when needed should also be practiced. Harvesting from your plants is very much encouraged since pruning promotes new growth, which is very much welcome with your herbs.
Growing herbs in pots, indoors, is a nice way to keep your herbs in easy reach for when you are cooking, or if you just want to garnish your pepper steak at dinner.
An Introduction to Alternative Health Herbs
A Case For Alternative Health Herbs.
Here is a startling fact: MEDICATION KILLS!!
That’s a very ugly way of stating a truth that has, in some ways, been neglected. Though the pharmaceutical companies try earnestly to create medication that helps diseases and pain, they also introduce many drugs capable of dangerous or even fatal side effects.
It’s no wonder that many individuals are looking into alternative health herbs as a solution to their ailments these days. They want organic foods, herbal medicines and solutions that don’t have the added threat of side effects.
Understanding the Benefits of Herbs
First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between alternative herbs for health and prescription or OTC medication. Herbal supplements are considered a food, something natural, that one digests.
They are not chemically made and any side effects (provided that the supplement is not interacting with a pre-existing condition or prescription drug in the system) would only be the result of overeating.
Doctors in eastern countries have long recommended alternative health herbs as treatment for many conditions. Many users claim to experience relief from their symptoms when taking herbal supplements.
Herbal supplements, which are usually formulated from plants or animals, or plant extracts, have been called miracle cures.
People claim they are capable of healing sicknesses like shock, influenza, hemorrhoids, allergies, skin conditions, food poisoning, wounds and cuts, indigestions, heart conditions and even some terminal illnesses among many others.
In addition, herbal treatments are said to help with some psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, overeating, and stress management.
The list of plant and animal extracts on the market is long and sometimes hard to believe. Everything from onions to copper to oyster shells or even traces of sulfur has been used in herbal therapy.
Why Alternative Therapy Works
Alternative health herbs can be administrated through ingesting (as in tea or a liquid form), eaten through solids or powder, or swallowed whole as capsules.
While some might argue that alternative treatment mainly produces a “placebo” effect, it should be noted that even pharmaceutical companies will use the same extracts as homeopathic producers do.
They simply add more chemicals to the solution, whereas in herbal therapy, more extracts are combined together.
Because alternative health herbs are gentler on the person’s body, there are far fewer side effects to report.
No doctor would ever advise you against eating healthy ingredients, taking in more necessary vitamins and nutrients, and even with experimenting with a few other natural products.
Indeed, essential oils, minerals, vitamins and herbal tinctures have been helping to cure the ails of mankind for well over thousands of years. Have we become so advanced in medical technology that we ignore the natural solutions that earth has provided?
The origins of homeopathy and herbal treatment are spiritually-based.
Whether or not you buy into the notion of cosmic energy and vital force, you must agree that our bodies survive and thrive on the natural produce of the earth.
Before making any drastic life change, especially one that involves taking regular medication, investigate alternative health herbs as a possible alternate to traditional medication.
The Wonders of a Windowsill Herb Garden
Who Else Wants a Windowsill Herb Garden?
Herbs and herbal products are very popular now and have a wide range of uses & benefits.
Some use them merely for ornamentation and decoration purposes, in the form of planned herb gardens, herb crafts or potpourri. Others prefer to make use of the medicinal and health benefits of herbs through remedies, herbal teas, and so on.
Others still, enjoy the taste and aroma in the form of seasoning.
Whatever form you choose to enjoy or utilize your herbs in, your very own windowsill herb garden can make life much simpler.
Not only does it allow you to have any time easy access to the herbs of your choice, it also gives you the pleasure of working with your hands, and of watching something grow and flourish.
If you are a city dweller though, and confined to limited space, you may not have the luxury of lying out and enjoying a proper outdoor garden.
Even if you do have the space for one, the weather where you live may not be conducive to herbs gardening.
After all, different herbs need different climatic and soil conditions to grow properly, and your area may not have either. The best thing to do in those circumstances is to consider the feasibility of the exercise.
The biggest advantage of a herb garden like this is that it’s quite literally at your fingertips!
It’s easier to manage and maintain something when it does not require extra effort to go to, special clothes to go outdoors or garden in, and any extra preparations.
Windowsill herb gardens can be attended to whenever you remember, as you are passing, at any convenient time.
After all, it’s right there!
So whenever you see it, you remember it, and “I’m too lazy to get dressed and go outside” will never interfere with its upkeep! You can prune as you potter around the place, trim while you take a phone call, turn the earth while you munch on toast, or water while you have a tall cool one yourself!
For herbs that need warmer climate, a windowsill herb garden is the ideal solution, especially if you live in colder places.
After all, the herb will never be exposed to the cold air or wind or frost.
It can enjoy all the warmth of the sunshine sitting on your windowsill, and the greenhouse effect caused by the pane, and flourish to its heart’s content! If the soil in your area is not conducive to a certain herb’s full growth, place it in a pot, in a special peat mix, on the windowsill, and watch it grow!
Whichever way you look at it, windowsill herbs gardening is the ideal answer in many situations.
And let’s not forget! They look good too!
That’s right!
Windowsill herb gardens are extremely ornamental… and what better way to pretty up a dull space and reap superb health benefits at the same time!
Indoor Herb Gardening… it's Like Living in a Veggie Patch
Indoor herb gardening… it’s like living in your own vegetable patch!
Herbs are good for a lot of things. From adding that extra dimension to your soup or stew, to cleansing and detoxifying your body; from making new and exciting food, to potpourri, herbs have myriad applications.
And indoor herb gardening makes it so much better.
They also make very good ornamental additions to your home or office space.
As we discover more and more interesting things about all kinds of herbs and herbal products, and their applications and health benefits, herbs are becoming things that are definitely worth having around!
While it is easier and easier these days to buy dried or frozen herbs for health, wellness, and culinary uses, it’s not the same as using fresh just off the plant herbs…
Is it?
And the best way to ensure that you have totally fresh herbs available within easy reach is with indoor herb gardening!
Given, it takes a little more time and effort to grow your own herbs rather than to run to the nearest herb or organic store to replenish your supply, but in the end having your own home grown herbs gives a level of satisfaction that nothing else can.
Indoor herb gardening is fairly easy to set up, especially if you have adequate natural light and sunshine in your home. Herbs are easy to plant, grow and look after, so a herb garden is a no stress delight to have in your home.
They look pretty too, which is an added advantage!
If you don’t have adequate natural light in your space, don’t despair! You can still grow the indoor herb garden you want! There’s a range of lighting options available to you that can give your garden the full spectrum light it needs.
Look for grow-lights, or plain fluorescents to fulfill your herbs gardening needs. Apart from that, all it basically takes is no-stress watering and looking after.
A little attention to detail, some care taken to ensure than there are no problems like bug infestations, and you can be well on your way to having a thriving indoor herb garden.
It will not only enhance your interiors, but will also provide instant seasoning for your stews, exotic ingredients for your cooking experiments, and home remedies for your ailments.
In fact, indoor herb gardening can become your one stop pharmacy and spice store combined!
Herbs grow perfectly well indoors and require only as much time and effort as any other houseplant. Once you have decided on the ideal location for each of your herbs, based on the light they require, it is easy as pie to keep the garden alive.
All it will take is a little bit of your time and attention.
Chia Herb Garden… The Inside Scoop
Chia Herb Garden… The Inside Scoop
Herbs are a truly miraculous answer to a number of health and wellness issues.
They smell and taste good too! Whether you are into experimenting with exotic and varied world cuisine, or trying alternative therapies, chances are herbs are something you will need every once in a while.
And then there’s a Chia herb garden
As more and more people discover the joys and benefits of herbs, it has become easier to buy them, whether as growing plants, or as freeze dried, ready to use produce.
However, it’s a lot more fun for kids and adults alike, to try herbs gardening and to watch them grow.
Having your own herb garden is a pleasure in many ways.
There is the joy of working with your hands; the pleasure of seeing things grow; and the convenience of having the right herbs, really fresh, right there at home, whenever you need them!
Therapeutic and convenient, a herb garden is a must have if herbs are your thing.
A Chia herb garden is much more than just an herb garden. It can be a toy, a hobby, therapy, or pleasure … whatever you choose. These animal, and other figurines, with herbs for fur, hair and so on, are a pleasure to look at and fun to grow!
And the kids love them
Not to mention the fact that herbs are usually very easy to grow, and prosper indoors, so they can be a great hobby for both kids, as well as for people living in typical urban areas where they may not have access to much open space.
This type of garden is also a great idea for stress relief and relaxation.
An indoor Chia herb garden kit would comprise of some terra cotta planters, often in animal or cartoon shapes, seeds, sponge, and so on. All you have to do is follow the instructions and plant the seeds right.
After that, simply water the planters regularly, and you will soon have a thriving herb garden, right in your home! To top it all, the kits don’t cost much.
Great for brightening up a dull corner indoors
Whether it is as an experiment, a hobby, for stress relief, for therapy, or as a gift, the Chia herb garden kit is the ideal choice.
And because it is so easy to grow and maintain, and so pretty to look at, it’s a great boost for your indoors! Enliven your living room, change the look of your space, or simply have it around as a toy!
Whatever the reason, a Chia herb garden is a fun thing to have around no matter how old you are. Kids and grown-ups alike can plant, grow, and enjoy herbs gardening together.
Herb Garden Plans… It's all in The Plan, Stan
Herb garden plans are a must if you want to create your own herb garden.
Herbs are not only decorative, they are also extremely useful. From crafts and recipes to home remedies and health enhancers, herbs can be useful in any situation & your herb garden plans will help you achieve your wishes.
It’s a hobby, therapeutic, fun, stress busting & a source of fresh cooking ingredients.
Having your own herb garden gives you something that is the perfect combination of fun and utility. It’s a hobby, it’s therapeutic, it’s fun, it’s stress busting, it is a source of fresh herbs when you need it, and it’s a “rooting and centering” activity.
In short, it’s amazing!
However, before you just go out and start buying up herbs to plant, consider planning your herbs gardening a little.
Make sure you collect some information, and read up on what to expect and what to do when you are laying out your herb garden plans.
For example, different herbs thrive at different light levels and at different temperatures. Some need a lot of water, while others do great with very little. Some require tight, less aerated soil while others need looser soil and more air around the roots.
The best thing to do is to find out about the herbs you wish to plant.
But, before you do that, you have to plan what you want to plant in your herb garden. Begin with choosing the herbs you want in the garden.
Properly made plans will allow you to create a beautiful and satisfying garden, and enable you to avoid all the heartache and frustration that can come your way when things go wrong.
Choose the right area, level of light and kind of soil, depending on what herbs you are planting.
Read up on the chosen herbs to make sure of exactly what their needs are, and how large they will grow, to make sure you allow for all that in your herb garden plans.
To choose what herbs to plant, think of why you want to start herbs gardening in the first place.
Do you want herbs for cooking?
If so, think of what varieties you already use, or are planning to use in the future and when planning your herb garden make sure you include them.
If you wish to grow herbs for beauty or health treatments, then choose only those herbs that work for you in such treatments. If you are not sure which herbs are used for each of these purposes, do some research.
A little time spent at your local library or on the internet can give you all the raw material you need to formulate good herb garden plans.
After that, it’s just a matter of sticking to the well laid plans, and planting the right herb in the right place.
Over time, if your planning has been done well, and with a little bit of care, you should have a flourishing herb garden adding to the beauty of your home and providing all your herb needs, fresh from the source!
Italian Herb Garden… The Original & Best
Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden provides a huge amount of possibilities. Some of the most famous and tastiest herbs in the world come from Italian herb gardens. And some of the best cuisines come from Italy and are famous, in part, for their herbs.
Parsley
Parsley is a relatively hard herb plant to grow but it is useful in not only Italian dishes but many other types of cuisines. Many generations ago before their were breath mints it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eradicated the bad breath left over from enjoying a flavorful cuisine.
The tradition arose to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal. The tradition lives today by using parsley as a garnish on a variety of meals.
Oregano
Oregano is as decorative as it is flavorful. When it is fully mature it will sprout pretty little purple flowers. Oregano should not be harvested until it has flowered because this is when the plant is most flavorful.
Basil… the most famous Italian herb
One of the best known herbs from an Italian herb garden is Basil which is very useful in many Italian recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian cuisines, it is useful in the garden to other plants.
Planting basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve their flavor. Plus, basil will also repel flies and mosquitoes.
Fennel
Fennel is famous for its seeds that grace and enhance the flavors of Italian sausage. The interesting thing about fennel is that the plant looses its flavor as it matures. It is a perennial plant that should be divided and replanted every few years to savor its flavor.
Like basil, rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial to the garden.
It grows into a large shrub that spouts pretty little blue flowers. It helps the garden by attracting bees. Although it is a tough evergreen perennial, it is sensitive to frost.
Garlic
Probably the most used herb in Italian cuisines is garlic. No Italian herb garden would be complete without this useful herb. Garlic gloves can be planted and will thrive in just about any garden with very little attention.
They can be stored to be used at a later time after they are harvested by freezing them or pickling them to store in the refrigerator.
Sage
Sage is used in a variety of Italian dishes from meats to salads. New shoots of the plant contain the most flavor so it is recommended not to let sage plants to get to woody by keeping them trim. New shoots will be encouraged to grow. Sage can be harvested after it blooms.
Although there are so many more herbs that can be included in an Italian herb garden, you really should consider which herbs you will use. Think about the growing conditions each plant needs and consider whether or not you can provide them.
Yes, Italian herbs add wonderful flavor to food, but they’re much more than that.
They also make amazing additions to landscape designs. They can be displayed for color and their aroma. By planting Italian herbs amongst other plants, you will be graced with the sweet aromas straight from Italy.
Working in your Italian herb garden will be like picnicing on an Italian hill side.
What Are Herbs? | What Are Herbs Best Used For?
What are herbs… well, what we do know is they’re all the rage these days. Everywhere you turn, there is a new herb or herb product promising to miraculously cure any and all ailments!
So, what are herbs?
And can they really do all these magical things we are being promised? What exactly are they, and what can they do for us?
Well, in the scientific sense at least, herbs are non woody plants that last usually for only one season. However, in common usage, and in the field of herbal or biological medicine, the term herb can include a number of plants or plant extract.
Any kind of plant parts such as leaves, roots, bark, berries, seeds, flowers and anything else that has nourishing or healing properties are commonly known as herbs.
Herbs contain an assortment of essential micro-nutrients, and can provide much more than just vitamins to your system.
What are herbs?
They are a rich source of minerals and trace elements necessary to maintain a natural balance and for all around well being. As we discover, and rediscover new and lost herbs, the more useful they appear to be to humanity at large.
As such, many people have started engaging in herbs gardening, brewing their own herbal teas and adding herbs to various meals.
Many ancient civilizations were well versed in the use of herbs for medicinal and health purposes, alongside their uses for beauty treatments, cosmetics, and so on. The earliest form of herbs gardening can be traced back to them.
From the ancient Egyptians and Romans, who have left records of numerous herbal remedies to the orient and the rest of Asia, the efficacy of herbs in solving many human health issues is well documented.
In the west, we have only recently discovered the benefits of herbs, their absence of side effects, and their ease of access. They are easy to grow or buy, and although they work more slowly than western medicine, the process of the cure, and the end results, are both much more human friendly.
As more and more herbs are discovered in the remote areas of the rain forests, or rediscovered from ancient eastern texts, it is only now that we are beginning to realize the immense potential.
More and more it seems like herbs are the answer to much of the world’s problems, after all, almost everyone would agree that a softer option is better than a harsh one.
If the same, or comparable, effect can be had in a softer, more natural way, where is the need to assault your system with harsh chemicals and modern medicines? Most users of alternative therapies agree that they do work.
Over time, one is able to reduce, and eventually stop, the use of harsh medication.
So, what are herbs, really?
Well, seems like they may just be the answer to all your health and well being needs!
Take advantage of the therapeutic and nutritious value of these natural wonders with some herb gardening of your very own.
