Herb Gardening

Herb gardening is fun and easy.  Herbs can be planted in the ground or in any number of containers.  Herb gardening containers can be as vast as your imagination.  Try old gallon milk jugs, buckets with holes for drainage, ceramic pots, or commercial planters.  Herb gardening in containers offers flexibility for those with limited space and in controlling moisture, light and care.

 Herb gardening can be indoors or outdoors.  The advantages to growing herbs indoors include the ability for them to thrive year round, and be easily accessible for use. To enhance the flavor and yield of indoor grown herbs, try using an herb gardening system such as an AeroGarden.  Regardless of where you place your herbs, they need plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil. 

When to harvest your herb garden depends on the type of herb with which you are dealing.  Herb gardening may involve using the leaves, flowers, seeds or roots of the plants.  In most cases, when you are planning to harvest the herb leaves, do so before the plant flowers.  Once the herb has produced flowers, the leaves lose some of their flavor and can become bitter.  One way to avoid this is to pinch the flowers off the plant before they have blossomed.  When harvesting the flowers from your herb garden, this is best done before the flowers have fully opened.   The plants continue to grow and harvesting can occur throughout the season.  

There are a variety of uses for herbs which generally fall in the categories of aromatics, culinary, medicinal and ornamental.  Herbs have long been used for their strong oils and scents.  Many, such as lavender, sage or mint, are often used for soaps, lotions, perfumes and candles.  Dill, Chives and Cilantro Delfino are great examples of herbs used in food preparation. Fresh or dried herbs are often used ornamentally and in floral arrangements.

Most people think of herbs and their culinary uses.  Cooks worldwide use herbs to enhance the flavor of meats and other ingredients, as well as for their individual tastes.  Some of the most common herbs used in cooking include rosemary, basil, cilantro, thyme, and parsley.

Throughout history, herb gardening has been used to produce herbs for medicinal purposes.  History records the ancient Egyptians and Chinese as using herbs to treat illnesses.  In modern times, many people supplement their diets with things such as garlic and Chamomile.

Herb gardening is both fun and rewarding.  It can be done indoors or outdoors in large or small spaces.  Herbs bring fragrance and color to your garden or home and can be used in a variety of ways.

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