ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
12.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Popular Herbs to Grow in Your Garden

Author: Denise Villani Author Ranking Bronze | Posted: 31-10-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 10 | Rating:  (50) Article Popularity - Green (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Herb gardening has practical value and with herb gardening you can actually use your plants for something other than making your yard look pretty. When most people think of herb gardening they automatically think of cooking, but herbs are also grown for their pleasant aroma and their beauty. Several of the most popular herbs such as basil, chives, mint, thyme, Sage, and lavender will be discussed in the paragraphs that follow.

One of the most common herbs gown in herb gardening is basil. Basil should be grown in a position that receives a good amount of sunlight. It's best to remove any flowers that appear since this will help preserve the plant's flavor and inspire the plant to grow more leaves. Remember to not to pick all the leaves off one plant; instead just pick a few leaves from several plants and always pick the top layver of leaves first. Basil can be used in fresh or dried form. To dry Basil, cut the stems at soil level and dry them in a dehydrator or hang bunches of stems up to air dry in a warm room. This drying process usually takes about a week. Once the leaves are dried, remove them from the stems and store them in a dry, airtight container for up to 12 months.

Chives are pretty sturdy and don't need much care. If the soil is fertile, a light mulching in the spring will provide sufficient nutrients. Remove blossoms as soon as they've passed their peak. Divide plants every 3 or 4 years in the spring to keep them healthy. Chives can start being harvested about 6 weeks after the seeds are planted, or as soon as established plants resume growth in the spring. Cut the outer leaves down to the base. Chives can be Used fresh or frozen. They don't retain their flavor well when they're dried.

Mint is pretty simple to grow. It thrives in sun or partial shade and will grow well in average soils. Mint plants are pretty sturdy and will tough it out during droughts and heat. Mint grows well with little water and fertilizer really isn't needed in most cases. Mint plants can be feisty and will crowd out other plants if given the chance. It may be best to plant them with a little distance from other plants. Leaves can be harvested at any time and can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. It's to your benefit to pick them in the morning because this is when the oils are strongest. Spread leaves out to dry in a cool and ventilated area. Once dried, be sure to store in an airtight container away from other herbs.

Thyme thrives in containers. Thyme plants can pretty much grow themselves. The less fuss the better the plant grows. Thyme is most fragrant and flavorful when it's grown in somewhat dry soil. Too much moisture will rot the plants. It's best to put one plant in each 6-inch pot, or groups of plants in larger containers. Use a sandy soil mix and don't water excessively. It's extremely important for thyme plants to have good drainage. Once fully grown (usually several months), thyme plants can be harvested at any time by snipping the stems.

Sage is another great plant for herb gardens. Sage grows best in a warm, sunny location, but try to avoid extreme heat. Pretty much the only soil necessity is that it be well-drained. The plants should be pruned after they flower and they should be fertilized in early spring. It's best to let the plant grow for a year untouched. After the first year, the leaves can be harvested at anytime. Keep in mind that the leaves are considered to be at their best before or just after blooming. Harvest individual leaves as needed. To dry sage, hang the stalks in a shady,well-ventilated area until the leaves crumble easily, then store in tightly lidded jars. Sage is known to keep its flavor better when it's stored in the freezer. Freeze leaves or stalks on a tray, then move the leaves into a zippered bag or container.

Lavender is probably the best smelling herb you can grow. Lavender doesn't like wet soil and prefers lots of sunlight. It's best to prune lavender plants every spring. When trimming, be sure to cut back all the overgrown stems and flowers to expose the original plant. Once the flowers get bright and vivid, it's time to start cutting. It's best to cut the plants when it's cool, becuase it uses its oil to cool itself and if it is cut in the heat there will be less of the fragrant aroma to enjoy. To dry the lavender, put it in small groups by tying with a twist tie and hanging in a dark dry place or individually by spreading them on a screen. Be sure to dry them out of the sun. Once dry, the buds can also be stripped and used as bulk for potpourri, sachets, or even cooking.

These are just a few of the herbs you can grow in your herb garden. Overall, herbs are relatively easy to grow and they aren't that picky. Growing your own herbs will give you much fresher herbs with alot more flavor and best of all it will save you alot of money.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/popular-herbs-to-grow-in-your-garden-248791.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Denise Villani an author and the webmaster of several article directories. For More Gardening Tips and Information, visit: GardeningStuff.info.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Why Purchase Herbs At The Supermarket?
By: Liz Norman | 24/07/2006 | Advice

Tips For Growing Perennials And Herbs In Pots And Boxes
By: Gerald Mason | 28/11/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

How To Use Lights To Help Your Greenhouse Run More Profitably
By: Gerald Mason | 08/12/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

Plants That Can Make You Rich
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

Herb Gardening Made Easy
By: Sandra Stammberger | 28/01/2006 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

Herb Gardening Essentials - Gardener Guide
By: Matthew Hick | 04/01/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

Creating an Attractive and Productive Herb Garden the Easy Way
By: James Penn | 31/01/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

I Love Growing Herbs
By: Harvey Robinson | 17/04/2007 | Gardening
Gardening related articles, find free content for your Gardening related web sites or Gardening related newsletters. Submit your Gardening related articles for free syndication.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the pumkins out and ready foe selling this ...
By: vicki odell | 02-10-2008
are the pumkins out and ready foe selling this weekend of the octber 3rd........i want to take my grandkids ????

Beets did not form.
By: Brenda | 02-10-2008
Most of my beets did not form and had long roots instead. The ones that did form were very small. I grew a popular recommended variety. The beet tops were fine. Any clues?

What should I spray on the strawberry plant to get ...
By: joules | 01-10-2008
What should I spray on the strawberry plant to get rid of thrip?

What fertilizer should i use on my lima bean plants?
By: XLchick33 | 01-10-2008
What fertilizer is the best to use when growing a lima bean plant at your home. We have fairly good soil, and spots very accessable to the sun.. please help me decide which fertilizer is the best to use.

What, if any, special care needed in Winter for Strawberries
By: Stryker | 01-10-2008
Is there special care needed for strawberries duting winter. MO

I live in Vail Az and i planted what was on the ...
By: Marty | 01-10-2008
I live in Vail Az and i planted what was on the package gigantic watermelons we picked the 1st one and it weighed 56lbs when we open that baby up it was still green inside sweet but kind of whitish ,so my question is How do I know when the one in my garden is ripe I'm guessing it weighs about 80lbs.HELP

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Gardening Articles

Beautiful Garden Centers in the United States
By: Christa Kowalczyk | 11/10/2008
Garden centers are known to be retail firms, which sell products and plants related to the different garden needs. A garden center is also considered as a primary business. It caters to the general public and is open in showcasing its display and facilities for plants and gardens. The items one...

How Did Bonsai Plants Start in China and Japan?
By: Cindy Heller | 11/10/2008
The art of bonsai making has a very long history. In fact, it has been around for centuries. It is believed that in the beginning this practice was called Punsai, which means growing a tree in a pot.

Why Do You Need to Find the Right Bonsai Pot?
By: Cindy Heller | 11/10/2008
Choosing the right bonsai pot is a thing that should be considered carefully if you have an interest in growing bonsai trees. The main value of a bonsai is its aesthetical appearance. A bonsai is a beautiful plant that will decorate your house nicely.

Important Activities to Grow Bonsai Successfully
By: Cindy Heller | 11/10/2008
There are many types of trees that can be made into bonsai and you need to know them if you want to grow bonsai. After you identify the tree that will be made into bonsai, there are certain monitoring and caring techniques that should be implemented to keep the tree grows healthily.

Secrets of Growing Indoor Bonsai Trees
By: Cindy Heller | 11/10/2008
Your house will look more beautiful with the addition of indoor bonsai trees. These plants are mostly cultivated by experts because there are certain techniques that should be used to limit the growth of the plants.

Important Tips for Beginners to Keep Juniper Bonsai
By: Cindy Heller | 11/10/2008
A juniper bonsai is one type of bonsai trees that is suitable for beginners because it is quite easy to be taken care of. The are many types of juniper that can be turned into bonsai, such as Shimpaku, Japanese Garden, Green Mound, Chinese Juniper, Sargents, and Needle.

Easy Swing Set Installation Instructions
By: Dave Text | 10/10/2008
Playing is very important for children. It would help them to become physically strong and psychologically fit. Swing sets offer children the pleasure and benefits of playing. A swing set is tantamount to childhood. It is an important fact that in their earlier times children are to enjoy their games. A...

Rose Gardening In The Fall: the 4 Most Important Tasks of Autumn
By: Dave Leach | 09/10/2008
Preparing your rose beds for winter is a very important process for the fall rose gardener. Follow these four important steps and your rose bushes will be be well prepared.

More from Denise Villani

Haunted Lighthouses - Owls Head Light, Owls Head, Maine
By: Denise Villani | 19/05/2008 | Religion
This article tells the story of the hauntings at Owl's Head Light.

The Essentials of Vitamin B5
By: Denise Villani | 18/05/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
This article gives the details about Vitamin B5, what it's purpose is and how it is beneficial to the body.

Hybrid Cars - The Hottest New Trend in Transportation
By: Denise Villani | 18/05/2008 | Cars
This article discusses the very basic concepts of hybrid cars, how they work, and the benefits of having one.

Haunted Lighthouses - Point Lookout Light
By: Denise Villani | 01/03/2008 | Religion
This article talks about the Point Lookout Lighthouse in Maryland and gives details about many of it's hauntings.

Haunted Lighthouses - Seguin Island Light
By: Denise Villani | 29/02/2008 | Religion
This article discusses the history of and the stories behind the haunted history of the Seguin Island Light in Maine.

Haunted Lighthouses - St. Simons Lighthouse
By: Denise Villani | 27/01/2008 | Religion
This article discusses a brief history of the St. Simons Lighthouse and its hauntings.

Haunted Lighthouses - Presque Isle Lighthouse, Michigan
By: Denise Villani | 22/01/2008 | Religion
This article briefly discusses the history of and the story behind the hauntings of Presque Isle Lighthouse.

Haunted Lighthouses - Heceta Head Lighthouse
By: Denise Villani | 22/01/2008 | Religion
This article briefly discusses the history of and the story behind the haunting of Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Article Categories







Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below