The Art (and Fun) of Selecting Plants for Your Herb Garden

The Art (and Fun) of Selecting Plants for Your Herb Garden

If you have been searching for herb garden how to, you have found it! In this brief article, you'll uncover an abundance of tips for selecting herbs for your garden - indoors or out.Quite possibly one of the most interesting groups of plants in existence, herbs have long been used in a variety of ways. Common herbs are used to enhance our meals, scent our homes (and even us in the form of colognes and perfumes), beautify our landscapes and homes and also as remedies for many ailments. According to one definition, an herb is any plant that is used for its medicinal, fragrance or culinary properties. Because numerous herbs fall into more than one of these main categories, it can be very difficult to categorize them.It is no wonder that it can be a challenge to narrow down the field and determine which of the many herbs one wants to grow. Some of the criteria you will likely use to select your herbs are listed here.Climate is an important consideration. Some herbs are annuals, like basil, cilantro and summer savory. Not only will these not survive a frost, but annuals are plants that only last for a single growing season. Since these are perpetuated only by means of their own seeds, unless your plan is to save some of your own seeds, it is best to buy fresh seeds each year.Biennials are plants that live only two years. They generally sprout from seed the first season, usually don't flower or fruit until the second year and then die. Parsley and caraway would be included in this group.Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive cold temperatures and will come back year after year. By definition, perennials basically live indefinitely, springing up again each spring from bulbs, roots or rootstocks.One very important consideration is the intended use for your herbs. Will they be grown primarily for use as culinary herbs? If so, you will want to consider not only well-known herbs such as marjoram, oregano, basil and thyme, but in addition, why not consider adding some gourmet varieties to your garden? Some worthy of mention are Sicilian oregano, lemon thyme and cinnamon basil.Among the many kinds of basil, I find cinnamon basil to be particularly delightful. Cinnamon Basil has reddish stems with purple flowers and dark green leaves and the leaves have a cinnamon-like taste and odor.If you are growing your herbs to preserve and use as dried herbs in your cooking or to scent oils or candles, etc., you will need to know which herbs are best suited for these purposes.Then again, herbs used for medicinal purposes should be considered if you are interested in growing these and using them to aid in your family's good health.Where you plan to grow your herbs is another very important consideration.As noted a minute ago, some herbs are annuals, while others are biennials or perennials. Obviously you will want to research the growing habits of each herb you are interested in. Some will be best grown outside, while others are better suited to an indoor environment, where they are protected from frost and drafts. While the majority of herbs require lots of sunlight, a few do well in shade.For your more finicky herbs, you will probably want to plant them in pots or containers, so that they can be moved around as the temperature or seasons change. You may want to bring them inside and away from drafts as the weather turns cooler.Still another very important consideration when selecting which herbs to grow is their aesthetic. If it's beautiful foliage and flowers you are after for your patio or yard, consider which colors and textures will best complement one another. Ideas for herbs with wonderful decorative foliage include bronze-leaf basil, globe basil, lavender and the ornamental sages. Lady's mantle has beautiful scalloped leaves and small sprays of yellow-green flowers that work well in cut arrangements. I trust you found some of the herb garden how-to tips that you were looking for included here. Be sure to watch for upcoming articles on herb gardening, which will include lots more insightful tips.

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