Planting A Herb Garden

It is important to become familiar with different herbs if you are planning on using them for cooking. Growing an herb garden takes some work, but has many benefits. If you want to grow an herb garden of your own, consider planting some or all of these delicious and fragrant herbs.

Basil
Germinates in about seven to 10 days. It grows to about 18 inches. Basil is perfect for use in tomato dishes and in many Italian-style dishes. There are many varieties of basil, including: Sweet Basil, which is the most popular, Cinnamon Basil, which comes from Mexico, Lemon Basil, Purple Basil, Red Rubin Basil and Thai Basil, which is very spicy and is used in Indian cooking.

Chive
A perennial herb which that looks like small grass spears. It can grow well even in a drought. Because it is a flowering herb, it can be planted as a border or in a rock garden. It can also be grown in containers inside during the winter months. Chives are great in salads, egg dishes and in sauces.

Lavender
An easy-growing herb with gray foliage and spikes of fragrant lavender flowers. It can be dried easily for use in potpourri or fragrance sachets.

Mint
A perennial herb that can grow up to two feet. This herb needs good, rich garden soil in order to thrive. It can be used to make mint jelly or mint julep and is also great in lemonade and other fruity drinks.

Dill
Also an easy growing herb. This herb has a feathery foliage and tiny, pale yellow blossoms. It self-sows and can be used in pickling or for flavoring meats and fish.

Sage
An herb with pretty foliage and bluish flowers. Sage prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, though it does not enjoy extreme heat. This herb can be grown indoors as well and is great for flavoring chicken, turkey and pork.

Sesame
An herb with Whitish-colored leaves and pink flowers. It needs warmth to germinate: do not plant until both the soil and air are warm (about 70 degrees). Sesame seeds can be used to flavor breads, crackers and cookies.

Thyme
A shrub-like perennial that thrives in rich soil. Cut thyme leaves before the blossoms open to use for drying. This herb can be used to flavor soups and poultry.

Rosemary
Grows best in full sunlight and well-drained soil. Because it is slow to germinate from seeds, it is best to buy started plants from a greenhouse or nursery. Let this herb become slightly dry between waterings to avoid root rot. Rosemary is best for flavoring lamb, veal and poultry.

Catnip
A great herb to grow if you have kittens. A member of the mint family, catnip is a self-seeding perennial that produces bluish flowers in mid-summer. This herb can be dried and given to cats for long-lasting fun.

Tarragon
A perennial herb that is rich in Vitamin A with anise-flavored leaves. This herb can be grown in containers and is best in full sunlight. Tarragon is great in hollandaise sauce, seafood and vegetables, but use it sparingly because it diffuses quickly.

Parsley
More than just a garnish, it's a great breath freshener, especially after eating garlic or onions. It is a short-lived perennial that can be grown in or outdoors. It is also good in salads, soups or stuffing.

Lemon Balm
A hardy, bushy perennial from the mint family. It grows best in partial shade and can be used in tea, chicken or cookies.

Growing an herb garden is an excellent way to have fresh herbs readily available for cooking or fragrance. A small 4x6' garden can grow enough herbs for a small family. Many herbs can be grown in containers or greenhouses and can then be transplanted into outdoor gardens.