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Herb Garden Plants: Basic Knowledge

herbs in a bowl

Herb Garden Plants

Herb garden plants come in so many different types and species: they can be annuals, perennials, or biennials just like other types of plants.

This article will get you started in understanding general different types of herb plants and what they are used for. But if you are interested in a specific herb, you need to research that herb in particular to learn how to grow and use it. Or you can find more complete information on growing any herbs here. Anyway, the following advice will give you some useful knowledge.

You need to know that annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost.  Every year you will have either seed or to plant new ones.

Sage and winter savory are perennials that can survive during winter and will return year after year.

Biennial herbs form leaves the first year and flowers and seeds during their second year, then they die.  Biennial herbs should be sown in late spring directly into the garden.  Most common biennial herbs are parsley, angelica, or caraway

When you want to sow these herbs, you need to prepare the soil first.  This is done by Tiling, working it to a fine texture and wet it slightly.  The seeds should be planted in shallow rows. Then, add some soil on top of the seeds.  The fine seeds should be planted in a mixture of sand. During germination, protect the soil by covering it with some paper which will keep it humid.

The most useful herbs are probably the culinary herbs as they can be used in cooking in many different ways. Thyme, basil, sage, marjoram for example have strong flavors and can be used in cooking and only need to be added in a very small quantity. Some herbs are used as a garnish like parsley.

Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea

Aromatic herbs, such as loyage, mint and rosemary can be used in oils. Their flavor comes either from their foliage or their flowers, or both. These oils are then used in perfumes, or cosmetics.

Some aromatic herb plants such as lavender are also used in the home to scent linens or clothing. Or, when dried and made into potpourri,  they will retain their aroma for a long period of time.

Herbs can also be used for medicinal purposes. If some herbs can treat an ailment, some might be poisonous when taken in large quantities or by a person  that is fragile for some reason (somebody with a cardiac condition or a pregnant woman).

Other herbs are used solely for their beauty. These herbs have beautifully colored flowers and/ or foliage. The colors range from  white or very light colored to very bright red or blue like the flowers of chicory. These herbs really light up your garden, so don’t forget to plant some valerian, borage or chicory.

We have tried to categorize different herbs but in truth many herbs have multiple purposes, like mint for example which can be used as well to brew tea as for pest control or in cooking, or even for decoration a cup of ice-cream.

Understanding the purpose and qualities of the different herb will enable you to make the best use of these wonderful plants. The more you get to know about herb the more amazed you will be at how they can enhance you life, and not only your cuisine. So if you’re seriously considering herb gardening as a new hobby, I highly recommend that you check out the information on this page.

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