Herb Garden Plants

Every herb is different. Like other plants, herbs come in a variety of forms. There are annuals, perennials, and biennials. Each one of these plants has specific needs that should be met. If your interest lies with a particular kind of herb or herbs, you should study them to make sure you understand their needs to insure you will grow a healthy and beneficial plant. This article will give you insight on different types of herbs and how they can be used.

A row of Curry Bushes

Some herbs are very vulnerable to frost, such as annuals like basil and cilantro. This style of herbs needs to be planted from seeds or small plants every year. Perennials like sage are able to handle colder temperatures and will come back year after year. Biennial herbs go through three stages. They will produce leaves their first growing season. During the second growing season they will generate flowers and seeds, and then they will die. Biennials such as caraway, parsley and angelica should be planted in late spring. You must first prepare the soil by working it to a fine consistency and then lightly moisten it. Plant the seeds in shallow rows. Finer seed can be planted with a mixture of sand. This will allow the seed to distribute themselves more evenly. If you cover your herb garden with wet burlap or paper during the germination stage, this will help keep the soil moist.

Herbs are grouped into categories depending on how they are used. Culinary herbs are perhaps the most valuable to gardeners. They have a large variety of diverse uses for cooking. Herbs like basil, sage, thyme, chive, and marjoram are well known for their strong flavors. These herbs are normally used in small quantities to add flavor to numerous kinds of foods. Parsley is a very poplar herb that is commonly used for a garnish. Aromatic herbs have pleasant scented flowers or foliage. Oils from these aromatic herbs such as, rosemary, lavender, lemongrass and mint are often found in perfumes and toilet waters creating a variety of fragrances. Part of aromatic herbs can be used in whole to make potpourris and sachets to give scents to linens and clothing. Dried potpourri helps the herbs retain their aromas for a much longer period of time.

Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. All throughout history it has been believed that some herbs have the ability to alleviate certain ailments. These are called Medicinal herbs. Present medical knowledge realizes that some herbs are beneficial to one’s health while others are overvalued. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used with caution. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if swallowed.

Comfrey plant (medicinal)

Herbs are not only used for their flavors, aromas, and medicinal purposes, they can be used for their beauty as well. Ornamental herbs with brightly colored foliage and flowers have long decorated many gardens; for example the valerian with its crimson blossoms or the brilliant blue flowers of chicory. A few well-placed herbs will liven up any garden.

Although into many different categories, many herbs have a variety of functions. As an example: Mint can be use for upset stomachs, aromatherapy, in cooking and for pest control. Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to choose the herbs that will best fit your needs.

Fresh Herbs Readily Available-Herb Garden Kits

Nature lovers enjoy growing their own gardens, and an herb garden is a popular choice for first-time gardeners. If you’ve never grown your own herbs before, you’ll likely have questions – you may not even know where to start. What type of soil is required? What seeds produce the best herbs? Relax. Herb garden kits are available that take much of the guesswork out of the process, ensuring you a healthy and prosperous herb garden.

The varieties of herbs available in ready-made kits are numerous, and are categorized in groups by the region where they are grown most or by what purpose they serve. Herbs for tea or for use in cooking, for example, have different requirements than say, international varieties from Italy or Germany. The characteristics of herb gardens vary greatly – there are outdoor terraced gardens or those used for groundcover, and there are kitchen gardens or those that grow medicinal herbs.

Regardless of the purpose your herb garden plants serve, most kits will have similar basic ingredients. You start with a group of seeds, a planter, the soil necessary to get started, and in some cases, a dome that helps maintain the proper humidity and temperature. Along with a good set of instructions, these are the essential components of a good herb garden kit.

The better companies will include recipes, special offers, newsletters, and links to information that help beginning gardeners grow plentiful herbs.

Having fresh herbs readily available is just one of the many benefits of herb garden kits. For kitchen herbs, growing your own spices adds value to your diet and offers the freshest ingredients available. In many cases, these gardens are portable enough to grow indoors, where they are the most convenient to manage. You can freeze any excess herbs you harvest, and the indoor conditions eliminate the need to shelter your plants during the winter months.

This also means you don’t need a huge amount of space to maintain your herb garden plants. Those who live in apartments or with little extra space will find it easy to create a controlled environment where you can regulate the amount of sunlight and water your plants receive, and there is a wealth of helpful information available to those who take the time to look.

More and more people are concerned about their health today, and an herb garden is one way to contribute to your own better health. Moreover, the challenge and enjoyment involved with seeing your tiny seeds grow into thriving herb plants can be very rewarding. You may even find that your success with herbs will inspire a deeper interest in gardening that becomes a healthy habit in future months.

The popularity and convenience of ready-made herb garden kits makes them attractive to hobbyists, health food enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of exotic herbs alike. Herb gardening is an interest that generates tangible and potentially delicious results in very little time. The helpful instructions and beginning herb kit ingredients can produce satisfying results, even among those who think themselves incapable of gardening success.

Growing Potted Herbs

You can grow your herbs in pots or containers, or for a more decorative look they can be grown in hanging baskets or window boxes. When growing herbs you have plenty of choices of where you may grow them. Growing potted hers is no more complicated then growing your herbs in your outdoor herb garden. Indoor herb gardens have the same requirements it takes to grow an outdoor herb garden.

Bay Leaf, Basil, Chilies and Parsley

There are three essential ingredients that all plants need in order to grow successfully, and herb gardens are not excluded from them. The key to growing any kind of plant is sunlight. It does not matter if your herbs are grown in an indoor herb garden or an outdoor garden. One of the best places to put your potted herbs is in a room that has a south or west-facing window. These directions have the most favorable sunlight for growing your herb garden. Some people who grow herbs will supplement the light source with a “grow lamp” or fluorescent lighting, if not enough light can be provided from direct sunlight. Assorted herbs have different lighting requirements, but for the majority of them all that is needed is a sunny locality. Herbs need soil that is not too rich and is well drained for which to grow. Add two parts of sterilized potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers. Place about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to guarantee that the plant has good drainage. Supplementing your soil with one teaspoon of lime per five-inch pot will help make certain that the soil’s pH balance levels are in a suitable range for growing healthy herbs. Your potted herbs will also need water. Moistening the pebbles and misting the herbs will help to keep them in a humid environment. Even though your herbs are being grown in containers, they do not need anymore water then the herbs grown outside. Avoid getting the roots of your herbs drenched or waterlogged.

A benefit to growing herbs in pots or containers is the freedom of moving them anywhere you like. Annual herbs can spend a majority of their time indoors, but perennials will fair better when they are placed outdoors during the summer growing season. Herbs should be brought inside before the first frost of the season so no damage can occur to their tender foliage. However the is an exception to this ruling when it come to some herbs. Mint, tarragon and chive are some of the exclusions to this rule. These kinds of herbs will go into hibernation for a short period of time and then develop a firmer and fresher growth after being exposed to a mild frost.

Kitchen cooking Herbs on windowsill

All herbs can be grown in containers although some herbs will do better then others. Mint has a tendency to take over the garden so this on should be contained. Taken, as a whole, maintaining and indoor herb garden is quite simple. Your herbs will be in reach any time you need them for whatever reason. The tips listed above will help you to maintain, care for and make sure of a healthy herb. You should also include intermittent light feeding and yearly repotting for best possible health of your herbs. You will also have to remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors in the summer. It is no secret that pruning plants helps encourage new growth. This rule also applies to herbs. Use your herbs as much as you like, and make sure to harvest them occasionally. So use them in your recipes, store them for future use, and give them away to friends as gifts. Here’s hoping your herb gardening is a fun and rewarding experience.

Herb Garden Days of Yore

People throughout history have used herb gardens. Herb gardens can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese. Even the Ancient Greeks and Romans included an herb garden in their courtyards. All through history people have taken great interest in the usefulness of plants. They began classifying, collecting and studying herbs. The wealthy and influential would grow “Physic Gardens”. Apothecaries and drug stores grew these herb gardens for use. The first known Physic Garden was grown in Italy at the University of Pisa in 1543. Other gardens were later grown in Padua, and Florence. Many of these gardens still exist and are open for public viewing.

First off, what exactly is an herb? An herb is any plant that contributes flavor, scent, or visual enhancement to a dish, has a medicinal, decorative, or aromatic value. Herbs can be used in so many ways that definition implies limits but in reality, the uses for herbs are literally limitless.

There are many benefits and rewards to growing an Herb garden. Herbs may be used to flavor food, for potpourri, for tea, for medical purposes or to even control pests in your garden. Herb gardens can be dedicated towards one of these particular areas or a combination of areas with several different goals in mind. The wonderful thing about herb gardens are, they can be grown almost anywhere.

There different choices on how you may wish to grow your herb garden. Such as, if you live in an apartment: you might choose to invest in an herb garden kit for your kitchen or terrace. Outside, an area of four feet by six feet is a large enough to provide for a small family. The most popular use of herbs is for cooking. These are recognized as culinary herbs, they are also grown for their fragrant foliage and some for the splendor of their flowers. Herbs can be used fresh or dried. Some herbs are used as garnish or in salads, while other kinds of herbs can be used to liven up the flavor of any meal.

The choice is all yours. Like all plants, herbs too have seasons. There are annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. Now that you’ve decide on what herbs to grow and where to have your herb garden, let’s look at the soil. While most herbs are pretty hardy and require little care, you’ll still find that a little preparation goes a long way. You should make sure your soil is well drained, should you find that your soil is compacted and lacking nutrients you can add organic matter to enrich the soil. In most cases fertilizers are not really necessary. Choose the best place to grow your herbs. While most herbs do best in a sunny location, some will do better in a shaded area. However there are some herbs grow best in a mixture of the sun and afternoon shade. Very few insects will bother herb gardens. Every so often in hot dry weather red spider mites can be found on low-growing plants and aphids may possibly attack dill, caraway, anise, or fennel.

You can buy starter herbs from your local nursery or they can be grown from seeds. Choose the method suits you best. Growing and herb garden from seed is a rewarding experience. You can enjoy the event of watching you herbs grow from sprout to adult every step of the way. Seeds should be placed in a shallow pot or box in the late winter. Use a light, well-drained soil to grown your seeds in. Since herbs do not have a deep root base, make sure not to cover the seeds too much with the soil. They should be planted near the surface. Follow the rule: the finer the seed, the shallower it should be sown. You can transplant the seedlings to the outdoors in the spring. Although most herbs can be grown from seeds, some herbs do not transplant well. Herbs like dill, fennel, anise, and coriander should be planted directly into the garden.

While growing herbs in a home garden is remarkably easy and worthwhile, there is a lot of information you need to know and understand about herbs. This article has given you a lift and now it is time to complete the journey with more information. And you can find all of the information you need right here!

Medicinal Herbs for Better Health

The dandelion leaves are a natural diuretic and in some parts of the world are used to treat high blood pressure. The flower of the Many people are looking for ways to cure the little aches and pains that ail them now days. This can be for a variety of reasons: The inconvenience of running to the doctor for every minor ailment, the high cost of prescription medications, or even the lack of health insurance. This subject matter is not saying to count on herbs to cure all ailments. A person should not never ignore going to see their physician if symptoms appear to be serious. This article is meant to make your trips to the doctor’s office and drug store less frequent.

In colonial times medicinal herb gardens were much more of a necessity. People now grow them for their beauty just as much as for their healing properties. For example did you know that women used Catnip in sits baths to make them more fertile? Catnip was also used for head colds and to settle upset stomachs.

Hyssop is a popular medicinal herb that is used in the United States. It can be brewed into a tea and used as an expectorant. Its bruised leaves in colonial times were often applied with sugar and used on wounds to help fight infection.

Parsley is most commonly used as a garnish, but did you know that it could fight bad breath after eating strong odorous foods such as garlic or onions. Parsley roots, once boiled, help unblock liver obstructions and promote urine production.

Dill is mostly known for it’s flavoring for pickles, stews, and other foods. Dill can also be used as a way to cure hiccups and it is believed to help strengthen the brain. Women who suffer from menstrual disorders can use dill to help maintain proper menstrual cycles. The essential oils in dill are germicidal, anti oxidant and disinfectant in nature. Thus they help stop microbial infections in the mouth as well as their anti oxidants minimize the damages caused to gums and teeth.

Mint is best planted in the autumn or spring. You’ll also have the best results if you begin with the actual roots of the plants. Plant four-to-six inch pieces of the root. Make sure they’re about two inches deep and 12 inches a part. Water these guys well and check the roots occasionally. They seem to easily overtake the roots of neighboring plants. You can easily prevent this by sinking boards or brinks about one-foot deep around the beds. Use the leaves to brew invigorating hot tea, or even try them in cold drinks. Mint is also a great garnish. Mint has long been sprinkled over lamb prior to roasting.

Dandelions by most accounts are considered one of those pesky weeds you find in your beautifully manicured lawn. Before destroying what seems to be an unwanted weed, let us take a brief look at some of the dandelions wonderful benefits. It is a wonderful source for vitamins A, B-Complex, C and D. It also contains the minerals zinc, iron and potassium. Dandelion contains the compound helenin which is use to help alleviate night blindness. The flower also contains anti oxidants to help aid the immune system. Flowers from the dandelion can be brewed into a tea by steeping several flowers into a pint of hot water. Homemade dandelion wine is also a benefit to gall bladder health. So next time you see one of these annoying little weeds popping up, you may want to think twice before spraying it with a weed killer.

Should you choose to start your herb garden from seeds, starting them indoors and growing them in pots or small containers is best. Place your plants where they will get a good amount of sunlight. If you cannot find such a place a fluorescent light will do nicely. Plant the seeds under a fine layer of soil. The seeds don’t need to be planted very deep. Remember to water your newly planted herbs sparingly. Too much water can dislodge the seeds or seedlings. Approximately about two weeks before the last scheduled frost for your area begins start hardening your plants by taking them outdoors for a couple hours per day. Should you select to move your herbs to an outdoor herb garden, Plant your herbs outdoors after the last scheduled frost has occurred for your area.

To transplant your herbs that you have purchased from your local nursery or garden center, gently tilt the pot to loosen the plant from its container. Be careful not to disturb the delicate roots of your herbs. Make sure to plant them after the last frost has taken place in your region. Cloudy days or early evening is the best time to transplant your herbs into your garden. This will help to prevent shock from the heat of the day. Make sure to water the herbs thoroughly after you have planted them.

Using Herbs from a Home Herb Garden

You have planted the herbs and have watched them grow and thrive. Now what? Herbs are exceptionally useful in so many ways. But, using herbs from a home herb garden requires a little bit of work first.

Chamomile (medicinal)

In order to use the herbs you will first need to harvest them. Timing is a big factor. Harvesting an herb is best determined by the growing condition of the herb, instead of by a specific date or month. If you have planted your home herb garden outdoors the herbs should be harvested early in the morning just before the Sun gets hot. The wind and the heat can dissolve the essential oils of the herbs. It is best to harvest your herbs on a calm and dry morning during midsummer. The herb produces fewer oils on extremely wet days. Harvest the herbs just after the dew has dried from the leaves and right before the flowers have opened. Harvesting the herb does not mean removing the entire plant. You only need to harvest enough of the herb so the growing stage can continue. You do not need to use the entire herb you have harvested at this time. You can preserve them for later use. Be careful not to take more then one third of the plant’s foliage at one time. The plant will need a good amount of foliage to re-grow well. You should also inspect the plant for insects and damaged leaves before you gather it.

Typically there are three ways that people preserve their herbs for later use; drying, freezing, or preserving them in a medium like salt or vinegar are the most common ways. In order to dry herbs you need to bundle six to twelve stems together and remove any foliage near the base of the stems. You can secure the bundle with string. Hang the bundle in a cool location away from sunlight. If you are looking to dry individual leaves you can place them on a screen or a rack. Remember to turn them often in order for them to dry properly. Some people have turned to using appliances like dehydrators, ovens or microwaves to dry herbs as well although these are less satisfactory ways. Freezing herbs is a fairy simple way to preserve herbs. Cut the herbs into ¼ inch pieces and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Once the herbs are frozen, you can place them together in a bag and store them in the freezer until use. The third way to preserve herbs is through a medium. For instance, you can cover herbs like chopped mint; basil or tarragon with vinegar and it will be preserved for several months. Or you can make a flavored salt to preserve herbs by alternating layers of fresh herbs between salt. When completely dry separate the brown herb from the flavored salt and store it in an airtight container.

Of course, the most common and favorite way people use herbs are from their fresh herb gardens. Take care cleaning the herbs before they are placed fresh in recipes. In order to clean fresh herbs place them in a bowl filled with cool water. If there is a large quantity of herbs you can use the sink. Place about two tablespoons of salt in the water. The salt in the water will drive away insects without damaging the plant. Remove the herbs from the water and dry them.

There are many types of herbs and all have their own unique uses. Each distinct type of herb has their own list of instructions on how to use, harvest, and chop them. Make sure to research the specific type of herb you are using so that your herb gardening experience is a happy one.

Fennel full plant

Lavender and Rosemary in neat bed