Herb Garden Plants
Herb garden plants, like any other kind of plants, grow as annuals, perennials and biennials. There are various kinds of herbs and each one is unique. If you are interested in a specific type of herb, you should research that one to understand the care it needs and how to use it properly. This article will get you started in understanding different general types of herb plants and what they are used for.
Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost. each year, these types of herbs need to be planted from a seed or a young herb plant. Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive colder temperatures and will return year after year. Herb garden plants that grow leaves in their first growing season, flowers and seed in the second, then die. are called biennials.
Biennial herb garden plants like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden. You should first work the soil by making it into a fine texture and making it slightly wet. Then the seeds should be sown in shallow rows making the soil firm on top of them. Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly. You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used. perhaps the most useful to herb growers are culinary herb garden plants. There is a wide range of uses for herbs in cooking. Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. A very famous herb that is used mostly as decoration is parsley.
Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents. Parts of aromatic herb garden plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing. They can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbena are great herbs to use for potpourri.
Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body. Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herb garden plants are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. Some herbs are also used for their beauty. Ornamental herb garden plants have brightly colored flowers and foliage. Many of them come in white or light-colored flowers like valerian which has delicate crimson flowers, and borage and chicory which has attractive blue flowers.
While herbs can be categorized into these different categories of uses, many herbs have multiple purposes. Mint may also be used as insect repellent or as flavor enhancer. Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to pick the herbs that will be most useful to you.
Buy Non-Hybrid Heirloom Seeds for healthy, good tasting, and continuous harvesting of your favorite herbs for many years to come.
For Food Storage Secrets for All you favorite herbs, click here.
