subject: The Herbs Of An Italian Herb Garden [print this page] Growing herbs has been practiced by many civilizations over the centuries. They have been grown for many different reasons. The Italian herb garden is probably the most aromatic. It is also the most attractive by far. Regardless of why you are looking to grow Italian herbs, you want to familiarize yourself with the herbs themselves. This allows you to grow the plants properly and enjoy them more.
One of the easiest herbs in an Italian herb garden to grow is basil. This herb needs a decent amount of sunlight, so you do not have to shelter it. It will grow fairly high, but will not take over your garden. A side benefit of the basil plant is its ability to ward off flies and mosquitoes. This makes your garden more comfortable. Planting basil close to tomatoes will flavor them with the herb. You will want to prune the flowers of the basil plant in order to maintain proper growth.
Fennel is also pretty easy to grow. This plant has an added bonus in it can be used for medicinal purposes. Used in teas, fennel helps to aid in digestion. This plant likes hot weather and light, constant watering. You will do well do give this herb room in your Italian herb garden as it is a perennial. Even though it comes back every year, you may want to replant. This is because it loses potency as it matures.
Oregano is also a perennial herb. This fairly hardy herb needs a decent amount of root space. You will notice year to year how much more oregano you have. These herbs are best plucked after they bloom. This is when the herb is it's most potent. You are sure to enjoy having oregano in your Italian herb garden, just make sure it does not suffocate neighboring plants.
Rosemary is an herb you do not want to leave out. The smell from this perennial shrub is unmistakable. One drawback to having rosemary is the tendency to attract bees. Rosemary is a fairly tough herb though it is sensitive to frost. Make sure to harvest before the fall. A good thing about rosemary is its ability to dry. Unlike other herbs, this is one where you will not lose much potency through the process of drying.
Parsley is one of the most used of Italian herbs and the hardest to grow. The reason why is because of the long germination process. In order to allow your parsley plant to grow quicker, soak the seeds for two days in the fridge. You need to change the water after the first day. Then pour boiling water over the soil you are to plant in. Keep in mind, parsley is a biennial. You will enjoy it for two years before having to replant. Don't let this deter you from planting parsley, as it is such a valuable part of the Italian herb garden.
