Herbs
Like any other plant, herbs come in annuals, biennials and perennials. There are many kinds of herb and each one has its unique properties. 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 general different types of herb plants and what they are used for. Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost. They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year. Perennials will tend to survive colder temperatures Examples of these are winter savory and sage and they will return year after year. Click here for more: herb plants
Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Biennial herbs like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden. Get the soil ready for planting, work it into a fine texture soaking it slightly. Shallow plant the seeds in rows before firming the soil on top of them. Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly. It is an idea to cover the planted bed with paper or burlap to keep the soil damp prior to germination. Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used. Herbs used for cooking are the best known to gardeners. They have a huge range of different uses 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. Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish. Fragrant herbs have wonderful smelling foliage or flowers. The oils from herbs like mint, loyage and rosemarycan be used to make all kinds of perfume, scents and toilet water. Certain herb plants can be used in the home to fragrance linen or clothes. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardens Blog
Drying them will allow them to retain their aroma for longer and be used in products such as potpourri. Great herbs for this are lemon verbena and lavender. 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 herbs 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 used for their beauty. can have brilliantly colored flowes and foliage. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers. Even thought herbs can have these different categories, many of them have multiple uses. For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. By taking the time to understand herbs, whatever your reason, you will be able to choose the ones most beneficial to you. Click here for more: Herb Garden Information
