| Why would you want to grow herbs in your | | | | recognized some herbs as true healers while |
| garden? Fresh herbs are awesome. I love just | | | | others have been said to be over rated in |
| putting basil leaves on a tuna sandwich and | | | | healing powers. Some of these herbs must be |
| in salads. For the culinary lovers herbs are | | | | consumed carefully or it could result in |
| something they need fresh. Herbs serve as a | | | | dangerous consequences. |
| major source for seasoning in preparation of | | | | |
| foods. Herbs have a wider range of use. Some | | | | Gardeners Classification |
| are used for scents and cosmetics while | | | | |
| others for medicinal purposes. Effective | | | | Annuals, Biennials, and perennials are so |
| ayurvedic herbs and Chinese healing herbs | | | | called because of the nature of blooming and |
| are indications of the ancient remedies. | | | | life span of the herb. |
| Some herbs are believed to have possessed | | | | |
| magical charms and many a story has been | | | | - Annuals bloom one season and then die. |
| written about magical potions. Herbs and | | | | These herbs include Anise, Basil, Chervil, |
| spices have been major sources of trade | | | | Coriander, Dill, Summer Savory, etc. |
| between kingdoms and countries. | | | | |
| | | | - Biennials live for two seasons. They bloom |
| Herbs of yore are being rediscovered by | | | | only in the second season. These include |
| modern science for fragrances and curing | | | | Caraway, Parsley, etc. |
| illness. Our ancestors knew the uses for | | | | |
| almost every wild non-poisonous plant. Some | | | | - Perennials bloom each season. These include |
| of these plants were needed in the garden | | | | Chives, Fennel, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, |
| more as they never had refrigerator or the | | | | Tarragon, Thyme, Winter Savory, etc. |
| modern preservatives. These herbs served in | | | | |
| many purposes like dyeing homespun fabrics, | | | | Gardeners Tips for you |
| storing with linen to prevent insects and | | | | |
| adding fragrance, preserving or enhancing the | | | | - If you intend to begin an herb garden then |
| tastes of food. | | | | your guide to herbs for you to are Winter |
| | | | Savory, Rosemary, Sage, Sweet Basil, Dill, |
| Herb Gardens were almost an essential feature | | | | Mint, Marjory, Parsley, Chives and Summer |
| of pioneer homes. Sunny corners of the house | | | | Savory. You could choose any other herb to |
| that were readily accessible to home makers | | | | grow in your garden but know whether they are |
| were planted with seasoning herbs. Wild | | | | annuals, biennials or perennials. |
| crafted Herbs that grew wild in the country | | | | |
| side were also grown in the garden. Gardeners | | | | - Herbs do not grow in wet soil. Good |
| are not rediscovering the value of these | | | | drainage is a must. Improve drainage by |
| herbs and are taking pleasure in producing | | | | placing a 5 inch layer of crushed stones 15 |
| their own herbs. Herbs can be classified | | | | to 18 inches below the top soil. |
| according to their use: culinary, aromatic, | | | | |
| ornamental and medical. | | | | - Mix the soil with compost and sand to |
| | | | lighten the texture and increase fertility. |
| Culinary herbs | | | | Do not use fertilizers as highly fertile |
| | | | soils produce excess foliage with poor |
| These are the most useful to herb gardeners. | | | | flavor. |
| Garnishes and flavoring is where they are | | | | |
| used more. A common list is Parsley, Sage, | | | | - Almost all herbs can be grown from seeds. |
| Chives, Thyme, Savory, Marjoram, Mint and | | | | If possible sow seeds in shallow boxes in |
| Basil. | | | | late winter and transplant these seedlings |
| | | | outdoors in spring. Anise, coriander, dill |
| Aromatic Herbs | | | | and fennel can be sown directly. Biennials |
| | | | should be sown in late spring directly into |
| This sweet smelling foliage has been used for | | | | the ground. You could obtain an indoor herb |
| producing perfumes. Flowers are mostly used | | | | garden kit and start of growing herbs indoors |
| but even plant parts are used. Dried herbs | | | | as well. |
| retain their aroma for longer periods. Some | | | | |
| aromatic herbs are Mint, Marjoram, Lovage, | | | | - Cutting and division is a useful method in |
| Lavender, Rosemary and Basil. | | | | propagating certain herbs. |
| | | | |
| Ornamental Herbs | | | | - Harvesting in the form of picking the |
| | | | leaves is to be done when the plant has |
| These herbs have bright flower and foliage. | | | | enough foliage to maintain growth. Harvest |
| Variegated Thyme, Chives, Lavender as well as | | | | leaves before the flower buds open. This is |
| Valerian with crimson blossoms and borage and | | | | when the flavor is at the peak . Pick seed |
| chicory with blue flowers are some ornamental | | | | heads when the color changes from green to |
| herbs. | | | | brown or gray. |
| | | | |
| Medicinal Herbs | | | | - Very few diseases or insects attack herbs. |
| | | | Rust infects mints and aphids may attack |
| Some plants are thought to have healing | | | | Caraway, Fennel, Dill and Anise. |
| powers. Modern science has researched and | | | | |