Herb Gardens

Throughout history, herbs have been used as medicines, in cooking, for dyes and for fragrance. The Greek physician and father of medicine listed several hundred herb remedies which were used for many centuries. During the Elizabethan Age of the 16th century, the culinary use of herbs reached its peak, and elaborate, decorative herb gardens would yield as many as 60 varieties of herbs.

Although most herbs for these purposes can now be bought pre-packaged at the store, growing them at home has again become very popular. They not only serve many useful purposes, but add fragrance, color and texture to the garden as well.

Many herbs can grow as border plants in most gardens, but most grow better in plots of their own. If space is a limitation, they also grow very well in window boxes and on sunny window sills.

Herbs thrive in light, loamy, well-drained soil, but they can grow well even in less fertile soil. All herbs, except Sorrel, thrive in alkaline soils and prosper from an application of fertilizer containing some lime applied once a year.

Choose an area at least three feet by five feet which receives a lot of sun. Because an herb garden can look pretty bedraggled in the winter, the herb garden should not generally serve as a focal point for the yard. Located next to the back door or kitchen is a good spot.

Now is the best time to prepare the soil. It should be prepared to a depth of about six inches and raked to a fine cultivation.

Herbs are either annuals or perennials and can be purchased as seeds or seedlings. Some varieties come in both forms. Seeds should be sown up to half an inch deep and eight to twelve inches apart, depending upon the variety. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them no closer than three inches apart.

The herb garden should be weeded and watered once a week. Herbs generally do not take any more care than other plants.

Herbs are harvested in a number of ways depending upon the variety. Almost all are used dried, and some can be harvested and frozen. Depending upon the variety, seeds, flowers, stems and foliage may be used.

Some of the more popular herbs used in cooking which grow well in this area include: sage, thyme, mint, parsley, mustard, basil, chives, celery and winter cress. Bay, rosemary and lavender are known for their fragrance, and peppermint, chamomile, lugwort, foxglove and feverfew are known for their medical qualities.

Fore more information about herbs and herb gardening, contact your local garden center. Many communities also have a branch of the Herb Society in their area.

Herbs are fun to grow and use and are an easy way to celebrate a bit of history and out some seasoning into your life.