| The cultivation and use of herbs as flavorings and | | | | just for their aromatic foliage or for their lovely flowers. |
| medicines can be traced back to ancient Egyptians, | | | | But why not enjoy the many ways they can add to |
| the ancient Chinese and early Greeks and Romans. | | | | your cooking? Some of these culinary herbs have not |
| Bible references and medieval documents reveal that | | | | just edible leaves, but edible flowers! All can be used |
| most households used herbs in some way - whether | | | | fresh or preserved in some way. |
| to enhance and preserve food, as dyestuffs, or to | | | | Herbs, like all plants, can be either annuals, biennials or |
| keep odors at bay. | | | | perennials. Some are small plants, while others grow |
| Today, we grow herbs for several different purposes | | | | as shrubs. In growing herbs, well-drained soil is a must, |
| - to flavor food, for potpourris to scent our homes, for | | | | so if your soil is clay or just compacted, add some |
| refreshing and invigorating teas or tisanes, for health | | | | organic matter to loosen it. You will find most herbs do |
| enhancement or to even to control garden pests. Herb | | | | not need fertilizers, but most prefer a sunny location, |
| gardens can be planted as a separate specialized | | | | with some afternoon shade. Almost all herbs are |
| type of garden, or you can grow a variety of herbs | | | | generally insect and disease resistant. |
| for different uses in the same garden. You may even | | | | You can either purchase bedding plants or you can |
| intersperse them within your flower borders or | | | | start your herbs from seed. If you require only one or |
| vegetable garden, or grow them in containers indoors | | | | two plants of a particular herb (think of those that are |
| or outdoors. | | | | shrub-sized, like rosemary), it is easier to buy bedding |
| You do not need a lot of space to have a kitchen | | | | plants. Plant your seeds indoors in late winter or early |
| herb garden. A three feet by six feet area in the | | | | spring in a light, well-drained soil. In spring, when the |
| vegetable garden, or a small plot just outside the | | | | weather warrants it, transplant the seedlings outdoors |
| kitchen door will grow ample herbs for most families. | | | | or into individual containers. Some herbs, notably dill, |
| You can even plant your herbs in containers, and may | | | | fennel, anise, and coriander should be planted directly |
| find this is the ideal solution. That way, you can move | | | | into the garden. |
| them indoors in winter, for year-long use and | | | | You will find that growing herbs at home is quite easy |
| enjoyment, providing you have the right conditions. | | | | if you have a place to plant, the correct growing |
| The most commonly grown herbs are culinary herbs - | | | | conditions and the necessary herb garden information. |
| herbs used for cooking. These herbs may be grown | | | | |