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About Hardy Shrub Roses
About Heathers
About Flowering Crabs
wildlife habitat
Annuals Biennials Perennials
Culinary Herbs
The Healing Herbs
The Fragrant Herbs
Shakespearean and Bible Herbs
Do you Really Need A Tiller
Insect Attack
Flowers for Cutting
Pruning Pointers
Houseplants Clean the Air
Recipes Fresh from the Garden
The Gold Plated Gardener
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| Culinary Herbs |
| Starting a Kitchen Herb Garden |
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| Humans have been fascinated by the uses of plants since before recorded history. Our remote ancestors were hunter-gatherers, with the emphasis on "gatherers"; primitive weapons don't bring in much game, and early hominids subsisted mainly on what the women could gather in the way of edible wild plants. We undoubtedly discovered at about the same time that some plant materials (like wild thyme) added tangy flavor to the stew. Today we are most familiar with the culinary herbs neatly packaged on our grocer's shelves. Just for the fun of it, take a look at the per pound price next time you're in the "spices" aisle. Sticker shock has driven many people to start their own herb garden, where seasonings selling for $25 per pound can be grown free of charge. Don't be put off by the words "herb garden." Such an undertaking can be nothing more ambitious than a potted bay or rosemary (moved outdoors in summer, indoors in winter), a clump of chives outside the back door, or a one-foot-wide bed alongside the sunny side of a shed or garage. Although they like to be kept weed-free, herbs don't want a rich soil; they thrive in poorer soil, and too rich a mixture results in a loss of flavor. What can be grown in such a bed? Chives, of course; mint is nice, but invasive. Thyme... marjoram...sage... savory...oregano...tarragon, to name a few. All of these are trouble-free and winter-hardy. Annual herbs like basil, dill and parsley take little time and offer many rewards. (A garnish of fresh parsley or a sprig of purple basil can give a ho-hum casserole real eye appeal). Some annuals, like parsley (a biennial, actually), take well to wintering indoors in a sunny window. Snipping herbs often only encourages them to grow more vigorously! Once you get the fresh herb habit, it's a hard one to break. And drying them for winter is simple, whether hung in an airy, shady spot or dried in the oven/microwave. If the fun of growing and tasting them isn't enough motivation, think of all the money you're saving! What you choose to grow, and how much time you are prepared to invest, depend on your tastes and lifestyle. Some folks are satisfied with that backyard clump of chives or a few pots on a windowsill. For those without the space or inclination to garden, many culinary herbs can be grown in containers in the back yard or on a sunny patio or deck. One strawberry jar (13 holes) can be filled with all the fresh herbs you'd need to snip all summer. If your time is limited, or you don't care to get your hands dirty, this approach may be for you. Others start small and develop an enchantment with herbs. It may lead them to research old English herb garden designs to recreate a Medieval or Shakespearean garden. Or they may develop a themed garden--devoted to blocks of color, to fragrances or to medicinal herbs. An herb garden is the ideal spot for a birdbath or sundial--perhaps against a backdrop of scarlet bee balm to attract hummingbirds. And don't be misled by the word "herbs." There's often a thin line between herbs and flowers. One of the showiest perennials, the purple coneflower -- eyecatching in any bed or as a cut flower--is an herb highly valued for its root, which acts like vitamin C to boost the human immune system. Many latent gardeners, starting small with a sage bush or a pot of rosemary, have gone on to discover the peace and tranquility of puttering in the herb garden, surrounded by heady fragrances and a sense of history. Whatever your personal preference, herbs can add spice to your life! |
| Palmyra | ME | 04965-4033 |
 shepherdsgdn@hotmail.com |
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| Visitors: 04664 |