Grow Herbs Right in Your Kitchen for Therapeutic Use, Extra Zing, and Fun
Basil, cloves, chives, dill, mint. We’ve seen these called for in many a recipe and on the supermarket shelves. But growing
herbs is easier than you might think. There are many
gardening ideas for an herb garden, and you do not even need a backyard to do it. Growing
herbs is possible even for
apartment dwellers who can plant an herb
garden in containers, which is just one of the several
gardening ideas for growing
herbs and adding a little freshness and spice to your dinner table. Even if you are not a cook, growing
herbs is a wonderful
gardening idea if only for the pleasant aromatic foliage and beautiful flowers that many
herbs produce. Herbs can be used fresh as a garnish for salads, can perk up the flavor of bland vegetables or meats, and can be used in a variety of herb teas. Today many people interested in alternative healing have rediscovered the medicinal properties of many
herbs and are growing
herbs for their therapeutic values. Some of the most commonly grown
herbs in an herb
garden are: - Basil- Both green and dark opal basil are good
gardening ideas in an herb garden. They are attractive plants. The dark opal variety has deep red foliage and exquisite pink flowers. Basil is a wonderful ingredient in any tomato sauce or other
Italian delicacies. - Borage- Also an attractive plant and adds a most exotic flavor to a tossed or mixed green salad. - Chervil- This plant grows quickly and matures in only 6 weeks. It adds excellent flavor to eggs. - Chives- Are an extraordinarily easy herb to grow. They are probably the most hardy of any growing
herbs and survive drought and very cold locations. Chives are excellent in salads, egg dishes, mixed with soft cheeses and in sauces of any kind. - Dill- Is also a great
gardening idea for an herb garden. It is easily grown, will do well in containers or window boxes, and is great for picking and adding that distinctive dill flavor to meats, fish or just about any dish. - Lavender-Is beautiful and aromatic both as is and when dried, out of the garden. - Majoram- Adds a delicate flavor to lamb, fish, salads and soups. - Mint- Who isn’t familiar with mint? Whether for a julep, tea or mint jelly this is a favorite in herb gardens. - Sage- A hardy perennial that adds zing to salad dressings, chicken, turkey, pork and any kind of sausages. - Sesame- With its white leaves and pink flowers, sesame is another one of those beautiful and easy growing
herbs whose seeds are great to flavor breads, crackers and cookies. Paste made from sesame is popular in many Middle Eastern and Oriental dishes. - Thyme- Is a great herb for flavoring soups and poultry. Growing
herbs is one of those
gardening ideas that not only provides one with the joy of gardening, but much like vegetable
gardening an herb
garden gives you the added pleasure of enjoying the fruits of your labors. The flavorings that herb gardens provide to our daily bread (and other foods) can truly add spice to your life. Ask anyone who has used fresh
herbs in their
cooking and they will tell you that store bought dried
herbs can’t compare. So for some fresh “parsley-sage-rosemary-and-thyme” you don’t have to go to Scarborough Fair—you just have to plant your own herb garden.
