Tell Me More about these
Herbs and How to Plant them in an Herb Garden!
So
you want to know more about herbs in order to plant an herb garden? Herbs come in many varieties, and may be an annual or biannual, a
perennial, or a shrub or tree. There
are so many different types of herbs and each one is different.
If you are interested in a specific type of herb, you should
research it to understand the care it needs and how to use it properly.
If you want to know more about herbs before you begin your garden, this article will help you begin your herbal education on different
types of herbs and how to grow them.
Annuals
like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost.
They need to be planted from 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 and 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 wetting 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 allows
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. You can mix all kinds of herb
together, or plant them by category.
Herbs are also grouped into categories according to how 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 often as a garnish.
Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage.
Oils from aromatic herbs like lovage, mint, and rosemary can be
used to make different types of perfumes, toilet waters, or other scents.
Parts of aromatic herb plants kept intact can be used in the home
to scent linens or clothing. They
can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to 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 and mind. Present
medical knowledge recognizes that herbs are beneficial to one’s health.
Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully.
Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or
fragrance; but are valued for their beauty.
Ornamental herbs have brightly colored flowers and foliage.
Many have whitish or various light colored flowers - others like
valerian have bright, vibrant colored blossoms, and borage and chicory
which grow gorgeous blue flowers.
While herbs
can be placed into different categories, 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
will be able to choose the herbs that will be the most useful to you.
