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. By researching the particular type of herb you are interested in, you will understand how to care for it and use it correctly. In this article we will look at the different types of herbs and how they are used. Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost. Plant them from a seed or sapling every year. Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive colder temperatures and will return year after year. Click here for more: herb plant
Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Sow biennials in late spring straight into the garden. Examples of biennials are angelica, parsley and caraway. Prepare the soil first by working it to a fine texture and wet 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 provide a vast range of menu options in cookery.
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. An very popular herb used mainly as a garnish 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. Certain herb plants can be used in the home to fragrance linen or clothes. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardening Blog
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. Since ancient time herbs have been used to cure all sorts of ailments. Modern medicine has proved the advantages of using some herbs to treat some conditions. However, you should be careful in using herbs for medicinal purposes in this way. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Many herbs are used for entirely different reasons other than their fragrance healing properties or flavor. Some herbs are used for their beauty. These decorative herbs. 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. So for example mint can be used for controlling pests, cooking and making tea. 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 Guide