Herbs & Herb Gardens

**rick** · 03-06-2006, 10:25 AM

In case ya didn't know ... Herbs are essential ingredients for flavoring and spicing up recipes all over the world. Without them, eating would be pretty bland. Herbs add flavor, character, and uniqueness to recipes. Used alone or in combination, they help to make cooking fun and enjoyable, and eating a sheer joy!

Varieties:

There are a wide variety of herbs which you can use. Depending on who is counting, there are 40 to 60 different kinds of herbs. Each one has it's own distinct flavoring. Most are easy to grow. There are annuals, perennials and even biennials.

With that many herbs, there should be lots or uses, right!?! Absolutely! Listed below are the different categories of herbs. Note, many fall into two or more categories.

Aromatic- Grown for their scent, aromatics herbs are used in flower vases or dried arrangements. Their oils are used in perfumes, candles, and toiletries to name a few. A couple of favorites are Lavender and Mint.

Culinary- We think of this category of herb first and foremost. Most gardeners grow a few or several varieties. Needless to say, food would be plain and boring without this group of herbs. Some of the more popular include Basil, Chives and Dill.

Medicinal- Since ancient times, many types of herbs have been used in medicine and believed to have the power to cure a wide range of ailments. We know some of them have been proved to be true. Others, like garlic, have preventative characteristics. (A garlic a day keeps the Cholesterol away" ...sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Also in ancient times, many herbs were believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. We all are too familiar with the belief that Garlic worn around the neck will ward off vampires.

Ornamental- Ornamental herbs are commonly grown for fresh or dried arrangements. Ornamental herbs also make the flower gardens look nicer. That is why herbs are often grown amidst the flowers. In this sense, they are used like a flower. You probably consider most of these to also fit within another category of herb. If so, you are right!

Medicinal Value:

Since ancient times, herbs were, and continue to be used for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Some herbs, most notably Garlic, were used to ward off evil spirits.Over the years, some herbs were proven to be effective in the treatment of ailments or injuries.

Planting: Herb gardens are fun and easy to grow. They also take up little space. Many growers put herb gardens up against their house or garage wall, so they can walk out and pick the herbs they need for the day's meal.

Tip: If you are growing perennials or biennials, make sure to plan your Herb garden so as not to disturb them the next year.

You can select your own favorites, or buy a package with a wide variety. We encourage you to experiment and try new herbs each year. That way, you will be certain to try new recipes all winter long.

Most herbs grow best in well drained, fairly fertile soil with a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

Seeds can be sown indoors or out. Many seeds are very tiny and fine. Make sure not to plant them deeply. Just barely cover the seed and keep the top surface of the soil moist. Thin seedlings according to the instructions on the seed packet.

Insects and Pests:

Few pests affect the herb family. In fact, some herbs, such as garlic, are used in organic pesticide formulas. Occasionally mites and aphids can bother a number of herb varieties. See Organic Sprays.

Disease:

Disease is not too common among the herb family.

Harvesting:

It is best to harvest herbs in the morning. This is when the oils are the highest concentration. Immediately after harvesting them, wash them in cool water. Then spread them out on a drying rack. Allow good ventilation. They should dry in two to three days. Many herbs can also be frozen for later use(culinary herbs)

Did you Know? It is the oil in herbs that gives herbs their aroma and flavor.

Find the specific Herb you are looking for:

Plant and Herb Index A listing of more than 800 plants and herbs.

Herbs A to Z An alphabetical listing. with a nice, brief description of the herb, it's history, how to grow it, any medicinal uses and how to harvest and store it.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/herbs/

Ya know, I love to cook! I think im gonna have me an herb garden soon!

~r

torchthatbird · 03-09-2006, 09:21 AM

There are many wonderful botanicals out there. I was speaking to the owner of Sacred Seed, while in Toronto, and he stressed to me that to focus ones life on just one plant was narrowminded and counter productive. He offered a variety of hard to find seeds and cuttings(not just MJ) and he stressed the importance of having an holistic view of cultivation. We don't have to stay under the thumb of the pharmacutical industry. With a little education we can grow many of the things we need to make our lives much fuller and happier. Thanks for adding this thread.

tarvashine · 03-09-2006, 04:51 PM

hi all, first time poster...long time reader.

i just wanted to chime in here that i am also very happy to see this thread. i look forward to it growing as well and getting useful hints and tips from others. i grow a few different herbs (veggies and other plants as well) some for cooking, some for medicine, some for soaps and teas....some can be used for all of that! i would rather take an herbal remedy any day than put another man made chemical in my body...and in my personal experience they usually work better.

gardening in general is awesome....and growing herbs is incredibly rewarding!
thanks for the topic...and i love this community!

**rick** · 03-09-2006, 05:02 PM

Looky there!

A brand new Member with the first post in the new Herb forum!

Excellent and welcome to The Gardens Cure! Im looking forward to learning about herbs and herb gardens from your post.

I LOVE to cook and am very much looking forward to having a fresh herb garden, that'd be excellent. Maybe you might want to think about journaling a herb harvest for me ~ I'd love to watch one before giving mine a go.

Welcome!

~r

tarvashine · 03-09-2006, 05:41 PM

now that is a good idea, i may do just that.
i currently have some parsley (flat leaf), sweet basil, marjoram, rosemary, cilantro and dill going strong(mostly), and some lavender that i am stupidly trying to start from seed.
the rosemary is really trying to die out on me, had to plant it outside too early or loose it for sure to mold, and my dill i think is in need of help....but i look forward to getting some more seeds in the garden as soon as the frost goes from here...and can't wait to reep the rewards!
i have had the misfortune of living in an apartment for the past few years...two years ago i had a terrace herb garden that produced well for what it was but other than that i haven't been able to grow much at all in teh last 5 years or so. i recently moved into a home with plenty of land to use so i am going crazy on cleaning up the mess left and reviving the entire yard with trees, bushes, herbs, veggie gardens and flowers! my parents had me in the garden as soon as i could walk so it's in the blood and terrific to be able to get back into the dirt.

i will try my best to take you up on the herbal grow journal/harvest journal...but i am still in the process of re-painting my thumb (green of course) at the moment so we'll just wait and see what happens.

i have used some of them in dishes...the dill that i am so worried about tasted wonderful in my egg salad the other day!

elzz · 03-10-2006, 12:54 PM

I grow garlic, onions, dill, and tomatoes.. great for pickling ur own eggs, or making ur own pickles if you grow cucumbers. I use the tomatoes to make a huge batch of salsa every year.

fantomas777 · 03-10-2006, 08:36 PM

I love all types of gardening, it's good to see this subject pop up. I'm growing a variety of herbs and vegetables this year. 2 types of mint, rosemary, basil, chives, thyme, tomatoes, squash, birdhouse gourds(gotta help the birds!) sunflowers and way to much more to list. Ill be keeping my eye on this one!

torchthatbird · 03-10-2006, 08:48 PM

Ok, I need some ideas. I went and brought some seeds at the market. Spearmint, Basil, Dill, and hot peppers. How do I grow this this stuff under my lights? I'm sure I could get the seeds started, but can I just grow this stuff in small pots, to fill in around the grow? I suppose I just follow the direction about when to harvest, or go by eye. None of them have to flower right? But the peppers need to make fruit, is that by time or daylight hours? The seed packages say they shouldn't get taller than 2', but I know spearmint can grow quick like. How long do you think the peppers will take and should I dry them? so many things to learn.........oh and catnip too.....for ....you know.......

elzz · 03-10-2006, 10:42 PM

i can help with the catnip.. its easy to grow, reacts well to training. When cats eat the tips, it branches like crazy. I'm pretty sure its a short day flowering plant, cuz its always got flowers in the fall.

webeblzr · 03-11-2006, 06:25 AM

Mescun, onions, peppers salsa, cubenels, tomatos,spinach!!

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