Home Grown Herbs for Every Day
You may use them every time you cook, but you may not realize how easy it is to grow your own.
When you plant a garden of herbs you can enjoy fresh herbs with your meals everyday.
Because herbs are great when they are grown indoors it does not matter when you decide to start your herb garden.
The main thing you need to remember is that herbs need great soil, good lighting, and a warm temperature in order to grow successfully.
If you can provide these three ingredients and add a little time you can enjoy fresh herbs conveniently and easily right from your own herb garden.
Some of the more popular herbs to grow include: Chives, Oregano, Cilantro, Basil, and Parsley.
But you can grow any combinations of herbs that you wish to grow.
To get started in your herb garden you need to find a nice spot in your home that provides warmth and light. If you have a problem locating a place try using artificial lighting in order to make your herb garden grow.
With artificial lighting you can put your herb garden anywhere you would like. Next you need a pot or box to plant your herbs in. Add your soil, fertilize it if necessary and then add your herbs to it.
Always add enough water to give your seeds a good start and then water as often as needed. Check to make sure that the light is not too much for the herbs but it is enough to supply light to the herbs in order to make them grow.
Ten Common Home Grown Herbs and Their Uses
Herb gardening allows gardeners to use herbs from their own garden for cooking, looks, smell, and sometimes health. Herb gardening will produce much fresher herbs with more flavor than store-bought herbs, and they are a lot cheaper. Grown at home, they are as fresh as you can get. And, their nutrition cannot be questioned.
Choose from a variety of the most commonly home grown herbs.
One of the most common herbs gown in home herb gardening is basil. “Dark Opal” and regular green basil are beautiful additions to any garden and often grown solely for decoration. Dark Opal has light pink flowers and dark red leaves. Basil isn’t just used for its looks; it is used for extra flavor in tomato juices and pastes.
Chives are very petite looking and resemble a blade of grass. They are much stronger than they look, however, and will grow well through a drought-like conditions. Their toughness and sturdiness makes chives a perfect plant for herb gardening, especially if the gardener doesn’t want plants that require a lot of hassle. Chives are good used in salads, egg dishes, and many different sauces.
Mint is also very simple to grow and is good to use in mint jelly, mint juleps, lemonade, and any other kind of fruity drink. Mint is also good in herb gardening for its unique minty smell.
Two herbs that appear in nearly everyone’s herb garden are thyme and sage. Both of these herb gardening favorites are used for flavoring soups, chicken, turkey, pork, and other sausages. Sage is also grown sometimes for its beautiful blue spiked flowers.
Lavender is probably the best smelling herb in all of herb gardening and is often used in candles, as a perfume scent, and to improve the smell in linen chests. The light purple flowers smell absolutely lovely.
Other types of herbs often grown in herb gardening include borage (used in salads), chervil (used in egg dishes), sweet marjoram (flavors lamb, fish, salad, and soup), sesame (flavors crackers, cookies, and bread), and dill (flavors meats and used in pickles).
Using Herbs from Your Home Garden
Okay, you have planted the herbs, nurtured them, cared for them, and watched them mature and flourish. Congratulations!
But now, it’s time to harvest!
Herbs are extremely useful in so many ways. But, using herbs from a home herb garden requires a little bit of work first.
To use the herbs, you will need to harvest them first. Timing is a huge factor in a successful harvest. Because wind and the heat can disperse the essential oils of the herbs, you should choose a calm and dry morning during midsummer for your harvest. Also, less oils are produced by the herb on extremely wet days then on dry days.
Harvest the herbs just after the dew has dried from the leaves, and just before the flowers open. Harvesting the herb does not mean removing the entire plant. At this point, you are just taking a certain amount of growth for use. And remember, you don’t need to use the herbs that you are harvesting at the time that you pick them. Instead, you can preserve them for later.
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 harvest it.
Typically, you’ll use one of three ways to preserve their herbs for later use; drying, freezing, or preserving them in a medium like salt or vinegar. 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.
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, people often use herbs fresh right out of the garden. Take care cleaning the herbs before they are placed fresh in recipes. One good way to clean fresh herbs is to 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 in a salad spinner.
Different types of herbs are used for many different uses. Each different type of herb has their own list of instructions on how to use, harvest, and chop them. Make sure into research the specific type of herb you are using to use it correctly.
Lean more by subscribing to our free herb gardening mini-course. Sign up on any page of our Web site, and you’ll begin receiving a series of 11 e-mails. It’s free.
Bring on those Italian Herbs!
Growing your own herbs in an Italian herb garden opens up a huge possibilities. Some of the most famous and tastiest herbs in the world claim their hertiage from Italy. Some of the best cuisines come from Italy, and those dishes are famous, in part, for their herbs.
Basil is a well known Italian herb and 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 also repels flies and mosquitoes.
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. And, it lives on today by using parsley as a garnish and even flavoring on a variety of meals.
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.
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.
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 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 flavor to food but they should be looked at as more then 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. It will be like taking a stroll on a Italian hill side.
Want to know more? Be sure to sign-up for our free mini-course that we’ll e-mail to you over 11 days. You can sign up for it on any page of this Web site. It’s completely free.
Herbs for Your Home Gardens
When you start to look at what kind of herbs that you might want to grow, you’ll be surprised by how many there really are. It might seem that every plant could be considered an an herb, including some common weeds. You’ll find many different types of herbs. Each one is different.
Don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed. Take your time and be inquisitive. If you are interested in a specific herb, be sure to research it to understand the particular care it needs, how best to cultivate it, and the best way(s) to use it properly. This short article will get you started in understanding general different types of herb plants and what they are used for.
First, herb plants come in annuals, perennials, and biennials.
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; then flowers and seed in their second seasons. After that, they die. Biennial herbs—like parsley, angelica, or caraway—should be sown in late spring directly into the garden plot or container.
Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used — culinary, aromatic, health and ornamental.
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 herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, lavender, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, and other various scents. Parts of aromatic herb plants used intact can be used in the home to scent linens or clothing. They can also be dried and made into potpourri, which enables them 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. Most herbs are harmless; others can be dangerous if ingested.
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 different categories of uses, many have multiple purposes. For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control.
Want to know more? Be sure to sign-up for our free mini-course that we’ll e-mail to you over 11 days. You can sign up for it on any page of this Web site. It’s completely free.
We have an e-book that details more of this for both beginning and veteran herb gardeners. If you want a good way to get started or a refresher course, be sure to download our e-book, “Secrets to Successful Home Grown Herbs.”
How to Grow Herbs in Pots and Containers
Herbs can be successfully grown indoors in pots or containers. You can also grow them in window boxes or hanging baskets. Growing herbs in pots is not anymore difficult then growing herbs in an outdoor garden. Indoor herb gardens need the same growing requirements that garden herbs need.
All plants need three main things in order to grow successfully; sunlight, soil and water. Herbs are no exception. Sunlight is key to growing any type of plant, including herbs whether they are grown indoors or out.
Different types of herbs have different light requirements but, for the most part, all need a sunny location. You should place herbs grown in a kitchen or other room in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. Some home herb growers supplement the light source with “grow lamps” or fluorescent lamps.
All herb plants need a well drained, not-too-rich soil to grow in. Add two parts of potting soil with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that you will grow in containers. You will also need about an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to ensure that the plant has good drainage.
Herbs grown in pots indoors can also be supplemented with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure that the soil is sweet enough for the herbs.
Misting the plants and moistening the pebbles will help to keep the herbs within humid conditions. Since they are being grown in containers they do need to have more water then herbs that are grown in a garden. Yet, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs drenched or soggy.
An advantage to growing herbs in a container is that you have the freedom to move them about as you please. Annual herbs can spend all of their time indoors but, perennial herbs do better if they were to be placed outside during the summer. Although all herbs should be brought inside before the first frost in order to avoid the loss of foliage. This rule is over looked when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon. These types of herbs will go into a rest period then form firmer and fresher growth after it is introduced to a light frost.
Some herbs will do better then others. Mint is an herb that needs to be contained or it will takeover the garden. Yet, mint is fairly easy to maintain an indoor herb garden. It keeps the herbs handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking
You should also include periodic light feeding and yearly repotting for optimum health of the herbs. Remember to replant annuals each year and move perennials outdoors when needed. Plus, use your herbs as much as you want as well as harvest them occasionally. It is no secret that pruning plants encourages new growth. This rule also applies to herbs. So use them in your recipes, store them, and give some away to friends.
Want to know more? Be sure to sign-up for our free mini-course that we’ll e-mail to you over 11 days. You can sign up for it on any page of this Web site. It’s completely free.
Herb Gardening, An Overview
Herb gardening becomes more popular with each passing day. For good reasons, too.
Herbs have practical values. They serve a purpose. And, with herb gardening you can actually use your plants—as they grow and after they have matured. You’ll find them fresher, more aromatic, more nutritious, and typically less expensive than store-bought varieties.
When most people think of herb gardening they automatically think of cooking. However, herbs are also grown for their pleasant aroma and their beauty. They have even been used for medical and health purposes since civilization began.
Herbs have a long history in all cultures. Their uses can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and China. The Bible contains many references to herbs. And, medieval documents show that herbs were used in various ways by most households.
Growing herbs has been beneficial for several different purposes, commercially and for home use. Herbs are used to flavor food, for potpourri, for teas, for medical purposes or to even control pests in the garden.
Herb gardens can be specialized towards one of these specific areas or they can be a mixture of a different purposes. You can grow herbs, mostly year-round, or grow them outdoors in a garden with other species of plant. They can thrive in a variety of containers—indoors or out, in a kitchen, sunroom, bedroom, in a small garden plot or elevated garden.
Outside, a small plot four feet by six feet is a large enough area for an herb garden that will supply a small family throughout the year.
Popular uses for herbs are for cooking. These are known as culinary herbs, and they are used as garnish for plates, in salads, or as seasonings to enhance the flavors of a recipe or any dish, main or side course and even drinks. Other herbs are grown for aromatics and aromatherapy. Some are cultivated simply for the beauty of their flowers. Herbs are used fresh or dried.
Like all other plants, herbs grow as annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. When planting, you should use well-drained soil. If you find that your soil is heavy or compacted, add organic matter to it. Fertilizers are not often necessary, especially if you treat your soils organically.
Most herbs prefer a sunny location, although a few prefer full shade. Many will grow well with afternoon shade. Amazingly, very few diseases or insects attack herbs. Sometimes in dry, hot weather red spider mites can be found on low-growing plants and aphids may attach to dill, caraway, anise, or fennel. Rust can also affect mint.
Herbs can be bought and planted into a home garden or they can be grown from seeds. It is an honor and a joy to be able to see a plant be grown from a single seed. You are able to enjoy every step of the process from birth to death in a respect. When growing a plant like an herb from a seed the experience is all the more rewarding because herbs are so useful.
Almost all herbs can be grown from a seed. Seeds should be placed in a shallow pot or box in the late winter. Use a light, well-drained soil to germinate your seeds. 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 at shallow depth.
Follow the rule: the finer the seed, the shallower it should be sown. You can transplant the seedlings to the outdoors or to larger containers 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.
Growing herbs in a home garden is extremely easy. It can be fun and exciting to share the rewards and the experience with family members. It can be worthwhile in terms of achievement, taste and health. Before you start, gather some information. There is a lot to learn, and the more you garner, the more enjoyable will be your gardening.
This article has given a brief overview. Look further before you begin.
You don’t have to go far.
You will be able to find most of the information that you’ll need right here!
