EZ Gardening

Starting with herbs
Herbs have been used for centuries for many purposes ranging from medicinal to culinary uses. The herbs I’ve grown over the years are primarily for cooking, but some are also for aromatic/ornamental and medicinal purposes.

Herbs are available as annuals, biennials and perennials.

• Annuals only live for one season.
• Biennials live for two, but will only bloom during the second season.
• Perennials are able to survive for multiple years – some will appear to die off in winter, but they will recover and begin to bloom again in spring/summer.

When choosing your herbs, it can sometimes be a little daunting. Whether you opt to start your own plants from seed or buy a plant, there are many options available and knowing what you want before you go to the store will help you stay focused on your purpose. Do you want a basic kitchen herb garden? Are you more adventurous and want to try exotic varieties? Do you want to make potpourri and need aromatic varieties? My recommendation to the new gardener is to start with the basics.

Here are some good starters:

• Sweet basil – an annual in most parts of the US. Typically used in Italian cuisine such as pesto sauce. Grows to about 18” tall.
• Oregano – a perennial. Typically used in Italian and Greek cuisine for sauces and salads. Can grow to 2’ tall and has a tendency to spread.
• Chives – a perennial. As a member of the onion family, chives have a multitude of uses. Grows to about 10” tall.
• Parsley (curly or flat leaf) – a hardy biennial. Widely used as a garnish, but can also be used in a wide variety of dishes. Can grow to about 18” tall.

These herbs can easily be grown in containers or in a garden plot. If you have a sunny windowsill or patio area, you can grow herbs. Regardless of where you plant your herbs, there’s one primary thing to keep in mind – drainage. Most herbs will not grow in wet soil, so make sure your plot has good drainage. When using pots, be sure to use a traditional potting mix, rather than a potting soil, to ensure appropriate drainage. Herbs are great because they are basically weeds – they grow wild in various regions – therefore, the care and attention you need to provide to them is fairly minimal.

TIP: Don’t make the mistake of only buying one small plant of each variety - then you feel like you have to ration the picking of the plant. Choose two – three of the same plant so you can begin picking and using your herbs immediately.

For more information on basic herbs such as dill, rosemary, sage, thyme and mint, visit http://www.ehow.com/topic_1014_beginners-guide-growing-herbs.html for videos on container herbs, herbs in the garden and additional tips for growing herbs.