Essential Survival Gear Catalog

It’s so nice when you find something that just works, right? Some herbs are just like that. All you need to do is put them out and make sure that they get sunlight and plenty of water and your herbs will do the rest.

Here’s a list of herb plants that once you plant them and get them going, they will do the rest:

• Borage: The long, fuzzy and prickly leaves may be tough to swallow, but you can certainly dig in and taste the flavor of cucumber. The borage herb appreciates dry, dark dirt and full sun—the blue or purple star-patterned flowers are cute as can be. You can start from seeds in mid-to-late spring and by mid-summer you’ll have all the borage you can manage.

• Caraway: The leaves of this biennial are similar to the foliage of a carrot during the first year. In its second season, it will have lovely pink or white umbrella-shaped flower clusters on one to three feet tall stems. Give your caraway plant full-sunlight and also make sure it has well-drained earth for the best outcome. Sow the seeds outdoors in spring or fall. They will self-seed if you don’t pick off the dead blooms.

• Dill: Dill is one of my favorite herbs to grow because of its fine, fern-like foliage. Dill will sprout quickly for you as long as you provide it with well-drained soil and full sun. Do not let your dill get more than three feet tall before you start using it in your dishes; you can start harvesting once it reaches a foot. The yellow buds on the umbrella-like heads will look beautiful in floral arrangements and can also be used as seasoning. Dill will thrive great from seed and because this herb grow quickly you won’t need to start the germination process in advance.

• Fennel: The full-grown version of fennel appears to be a lot like dill, but its licorice flavor is nothing like dill. If you plant your seeds in late spring, you will have a full-grown, 4-foot-tall plant in just a few short weeks. Plant it in full sun in well-drained soil for the best results. The seeds are the best part. Don’t let your seeds get brown. Did you know that you can use your dried stems in all kinds of culinary creations, including soups, stews and breads?

• Lemon Balm: If you like the sweet, lemony smell of lemon balm, you’ll be pleased to know that this perennial likes light, shady, well-drained soil. I like its heart-shaped leaves. Don’t bother with seeds, buy a little herb at the greenhouse and let it grow for you. Before long, you’ll divide your lemon balm plant and replant the divided part somewhere else. As a self-sower, lemon balm will spread quickly so give your herbs plenty of space. Pinch off the dead flowers to prevent lemon balm from self-sowing.

• Sweet Cicely: Here’s a perennial plant that loves light shade, so give it that and loose, rich sod and it will take off from there. Be sure to add in mulch and organic compost. Buy your first couple of plants and it will spread out from there through self-sowing.

If these are not enough to get you going, you can try German chamomile and chicory.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Home Herb Garden. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.