Garden Plants

Like any other plant, herbs come in annuals, biennials and perennials. There are many different types of herbs and each one is different. If you are interested in a specific type of herb, you should research that one to understand the care it needs and how to use it properly. In this article we will look at the  different types of herbs and how they are used. Many kinds of annuals such as cilantro, basil and summer savory will perish in a frost. They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year. Perennials will tend to survive colder temperatures Examples of these are winter savory and sage and they will return year after year. Click here for more: plant herbs

Biennials are Herb plants that only survive two seasons. In the first they form leaves and in the second, befor they die, flowers and seed. Biennial herbs like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden. Get the soil ready for planting, work it into a fine texture soaking it slightly.  Plant the seeds in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. If you have fine seeds, plant these in a mixture of sand as this will spred them within the mix more evenly. You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination. Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used. Culinary herbs are probably the modt useful to herb gardeners. They provide a vast range of menu options in cookery.

Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish. Fragrant herbs have wonderful smelling foliage or flowers. The oils from herbs like mint, loyage and rosemarycan be used to make all kinds of perfume, scents and toilet water. Parts of aromatic herb plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardening Blog

Drying them will allow them to retain their aroma for longer and be used in products such as potpourri.  Great herbs for this are lemon verbena and lavender. Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. Since ancient time herbs have been used to cure all sorts of ailments. Modern medicine has proved the advantages of using some herbs to treat some conditions. However, you should be careful in using herbs for medicinal purposes in this way. Although many are harmless, many can be dangerous if eaten.

Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. Some herbs are used for their beauty. These decorative herbs. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers. Even thought herbs can have these different categories, many of them have multiple uses. So for example mint can be used for controlling pests, cooking and making tea. By taking the time to understand herbs, whatever your reason, you will be able to choose the ones most beneficial to you. Click here for more: Herb Garden Guide