Herbs can be
used not only for cooking, but for medicinal purposes, as well. Herbs such as
lavender, rosemary, and lemon balm have been used for centuries and revered for
their medicinal properties. I always have a lavender and aloe plant –
regardless of the season – in my home ready for use.
Here are a
few helpful tips to keeping your herbs in tip-top shape:
1. Planting herbs is easy! You can
easily find the herbs you want in any store or online. Buying seeds versus a
seedling is a hard choice. If you have time to nurture seeds, planting seeds
can be easy, but frustrating. Seeds take time to mature and grow. However, if
you are always busy, you may want to purchase a small plant.
2. When the herbs are growing, remember to cut them often! Cutting them often will ensure new growth for future use.
3. Like all garden plants, herbs can be
classified as annual, perennial, or biennial. Annual grow only for one season
and must be replanted each spring. Perennial live for several years – they die
in the fall, but they grow back in the spring. Biennial grow for two years –
there are few herbs that are categorized as biennial (Clary Sage and Parsley,
for example).
Annual Herbs:
Basil
Chamomile
Cilantro
Cumin
Dill
Fennel
Chamomile
Cilantro
Cumin
Dill
Fennel
Perennial Herbs:
Catnip
Chives
Lavender
Lemon balm
Mint
Rosemary
4. Most herbs will thrive with about 1 inch of water a week. Herbs in raised beds and pots will dry out more quickly and will need watered more frequently. Keep the surrounding areas weed free. Weeds suck up the water and will quickly drain soil of any water or nutrients. Also, don’t drench your herbs in water. Too much water in the soil causes the roots to be water-logged. This will often kill the plant or fungus will begin to grow on the plant.
Chives
Lavender
Lemon balm
Mint
Rosemary
4. Most herbs will thrive with about 1 inch of water a week. Herbs in raised beds and pots will dry out more quickly and will need watered more frequently. Keep the surrounding areas weed free. Weeds suck up the water and will quickly drain soil of any water or nutrients. Also, don’t drench your herbs in water. Too much water in the soil causes the roots to be water-logged. This will often kill the plant or fungus will begin to grow on the plant.
5. Keep herbs out of direct sunlight. Making sure the herbs get an even amount of sunlight and shade is crucial to the plants growth. Too much sun will bake the herb and drain any water from the soil that it needs.
Top Five Herbs for Summer Cooking:
-Basil –
good for Italian cooking!
-Chives
– pairs well with root vegetables (potatoes, turnips, etc).
-Rosemary
– pair with pork and chicken.
-Dill –
pairs well with fish.
-Mint –
perfect for Mojitos!
Herb Butter (My Own Recipe)
Ingredients:
½ pound
unsalted butter, room temperature
¼
teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1
tablespoon fresh minced scallions or chives
1
tablespoon fresh minced dill
1
tablespoon fresh minced parsley
1
teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1
teaspoon sea salt
¼
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
In a
medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir with a spatula until well mixed. Do
not whip! Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
- CJ LaRose, Senior Supervisor
- CJ LaRose, Senior Supervisor
