Basil is the best known Italian herb and is useful in many Italian recipes. Basil will not only add flavor to many Italian dishes, but is useful in the garden to other plants. Did you know that planting basil next to your peppers and tomatoes will actually improve upon their flavor? Plus, basil will also repel mosquitoes and flies.

Parsley is can be a hard herb to grow, but it is useful in not only Italian dishes but many other types of dishes. Long ago, before their were breath mints, it was found that eating fresh, raw parsley after a meal eradicated bad breath left over from flavorful cuisine. The tradition cam about to serve parsley on a small dish after the meal. The tradition lives on today by using parsley as a garnish on a wide variety of dishes.

Oregano is as flavorful as it is decorative. When it is fully mature it will sprout beautiful little purple flowers. Oregano should be harvested after it has flowered because this is when the plant is the most flavorful. A must have addition to your Italian herb garden.

Fennel is famous for the seeds that enhance and grace the flavors of Italian sausage. The interesting thing about fennel is that the plant looses its flavor as it matures. It is a perennial plant and should be divided, then replanted every few years to savor its flavor.

Like basil, rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial in the garden. It grows into a large shrub that spouts blue flowers. It helps the garden by attracting bees. Although it is a tough evergreen perennial, it is sensitive to frost.

Sage is also used in a variety of Italian dishes including salads and meats. New shoots of the plant will contain the most flavor so it is recommended to not let sage plants get to woody by keeping them trim. Sage can be harvested after it blooms.

This brings us to the most used herb in Italian cuisines, garlic. No Italian herb garden would possibly be complete without this useful herb. Garlic gloves can be directly planted and will thrive in just about any garden with little attention. They can be stored to be used at a later time after harvesting by freezing them. They can also be pickled and stored in the refrigerator.

Although there are many, many more herbs that can be included in an Italian herb garden, consider which herbs you will use by thinking about the growing conditions each plant needs, and consider whether or not it’s possible provide them. Italian herbs add flavor to food but they should also be looked at as more then that. They can also make beautiful additions to landscaped designs. They can also be displayed just for color and their aroma. Be sure to plant Italian herbs along with other plants. Like taking a stroll on a Italian hill side, you will be graced with the sweet aromas straight from Italy!

Annuals like cilantro, basil and summer savory will not survive a frost. They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year. Perennials like savory and sage can survive colder temperatures and should return year after year. Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season, flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Biennial herbs like angelica, parsley or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into your garden. Planting herbs is easy. First prepare the soil by working it to a fine texture and wet it slightly. Plant your seeds in shallow rows, then place firm soil on top of them. Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which should allow them to spread more evenly. You can also cover the bed with wet paper or burlap in order to keep the soil moist during the germination process.

Herbs are also grouped into the categories in which you plan to use them. Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling foliage or flowers. Oils from aromatic herbs like mint and rosemary can also be used to make different types of perfumes and various scents. Parts of the aromatic herb plant used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens and clothing. They can also be dried and made into potpourri which enables them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time. Lemon verbena and lavender are great herbs to use for potpourri. When it comes planting herbs, the culinary variety are the most useful to herb gardeners. They have a large range of different uses in cooking. Because of their strong flavors, herbs like thyme, chives, basil, savory, marjoram and sage and are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. Parsley is an very popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish. Some herbs can also be used for medicinal purposes. For centuries, herbs have been thought to have the ability to heal the body. Modern medical knowledge recognizes that some herbs are beneficial to your health, and others are overrated. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used cautiously. Some herbs are harmless, and others can be dangerous if ingested.

While herbs can be categorized into many different categories of uses, some herbs have multiple purposes. Mint for example can be used for tea and pest control. Whatever your interest may be in herbs, understanding the different herb garden plants will enable you to pick the herbs that will be of the most benefit to you when planting herbs.

Herb garden kits can contain a large variety of herbs, and can genrally be categorized into culinary herbs, Italian herbs, international herbs, herbal tea herbs, German herbs, salsa herbs and many more. All herb growing kits are different but contain similar items in to get started with. Just about any herb kit will contain seeds. Some herb kits will contain a dome that will provide the right temperature and humidity for the herb plants to grow a healthy root system and to thrive. They will also contain an instructional guide. This gives the herb grower an easy to follow guide to succeed with their herbs. Some kits will even offer recipes in which to us the herbs that you are growing. Other websites that sell herb garden kits will offer a newsletter you can sign up for which will provide additional useful information and recipes. Kits will also provide the planter in which the herbs will be grown. All kits are different, but most kits will either provide soil or pellets in which to grow the seeds.

There are many benefits to growing herbs indoors from a kit. It is easier to enjoy the herbs because they are right at your finger tips, you don’t have to venture outside to the garden to add a little seasoning to the pot on the stove and it’s just as easy to harvest herbs and freeze them for future use. Plus, since indoor growing provide constant growing conditions, you don’t have to worry about winterizing herb plants or herbs that will not survive the winter weather conditions. The herbs will have a constant temperature in which to grow and thrive. Plus, most herb garden kits are small and compact. Great for small spaces or apartments. Plus, when growing plants outdoors it can be hard to judge which area in the outdoor garden will get the right amount of light for each plant. Also, rain fall makes it easy to water plants but too much rain might also be harmful. Growing your herbs indoors with a complete instructional guide will enable you to take the guess work out of your hobby. Your herbs will be successful each and every time.

There is nothing better than the feeling of accomplishment when you become an herb expert, and are able grow any kind of herb in your garden or indoors. But it does take work getting there, A good way to learn is through herb garden kits in which most of the difficulties are removed, and you are left with the enjoyment of the your herbs. Once you get to know the herbs you will be growing a more and more, move them into your garden and becoming an herb expert!

The three main things that all plants need to flourish are soil, water and sunlight. Herbs are no exception. The proper amount of sunlight is key to growing any type of plant including culinary herbs, whether they are grown indoors or out. When growing herbs indoors place your plants in the kitchen or any other room in a west or south facing window to get the best sunlight. Different herbs have different sunlight requirements but, for the most part, all need a bright, sunny location. Home herb growers might also supplement the light source with fluorescent lamps or “grow lamps”. All Herbs need well drained soil that is not too rich to grow in. Adding two parts of sterilized potting soil along with one part coarse sand or perlite for herbs that are grown in containers should do it. You will also need roughly an inch of gravel at the bottom of each pot to ensure that good drainage. Growing herbs indoors, you might also consider supplementing the soil with one teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot to ensure sweet soil for the herbs. Pot grown Herbs also need plenty of water. Moistening the pebbles and misting the plants and will help to keep them within the needed humid conditions. Since they are being grown in containers, they do need to have more water then herbs grown outdoors but, you should avoid getting the roots of the herbs soggy or drenched.

The advantage to growing herbs indoors is that you have the freedom to move them around as you please. Annuals can spend all of their time indoors but, perennial herbs will do better if they are placed outside during the summer. All herbs should be taken inside before the first frost in order to avoid the loss of foliage. The exception to this rule is when it comes to mint, chives, and tarragon. These types of herbs will go into a rest period then form fresher, firmer growth after it is introduced to a light frost.

All herbs can be grown in containers but some herbs will do better then others. But you can be succesful growing herbs indoors. Mint is an herb that should be contained or it will take over the garden. Over all it is fairly easy to maintain your indoor herb garden. Your herbs will be handy and within reach anytime you need them for cooking. With the tips listed above, you will be able to successfully care for your herbs and ensure a healthy plant. Be sure to also include periodic light feeding and yearly re-potting for the optimum health of your herbs. Also remember to replant annuals each and every year and move your perennials outdoors as needed. Plus, be sure to use your herbs as much as you want and harvest them occasionally. It is well known that pruning plants encourages new growth. This rule also applies to herbs.

There are references in medieval documents, and the Bible showing herbs were used by many households. Herbs can be grown in a garden with other species of plants or in indoor containers, and is something that is very beneficial to gardeners for several different purposes.

The most popular use for herbs are for cooking, so the most common type is the culinary herb garden. But they can also be grown for their aromatic foliage and some for the striking beauty of their flowers.  Some herbs are used as garnish for salads and plates, while other types of herbs can be used to enhance the flavor of your dish. They are typically used dried and fresh.

The most popular method to grow herbs for the home cook is right in the kitchen. Your culinary herb garden can also be started in a small plot in the garden.  A four feet by six feet are should be large enough to support a continuing supply of fresh herbs for the home cook.

Similar to any other plant, herbs grow as perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. Be sure to use well-drained soil when planting your herbs. Fertilizers are not necessary, but you can add organic matter if you find that your soil is heavy or compacted. Although a few prefer full shade, most herbs prefer a nice sunny location. Surprisingly, very few insects or diseases attack herbs.  Sometimes in hot, dry weather, you may notice red spider mites on the low growers, and aphids might attach to anise caraway and fennel.

Although herbs can be bought and planted into a home garden, it is pure joy to be able to see a plant be grown from a single seed. You will be able to enjoy every step of the growing process from the initial sprout to your tasty dish. Seeds should be placed in a shallow box or pot, preferably in late winter, using well-drained soil for optimal growth.  Herbs do not have a very deep root base, so make sure you don’t cover the seeds with too much soil. They should be planted more on the shallow side.  Follow this rule: the finer the seed, the shallower to sow. You should transplant your seedlings outdoors in the spring. Some herbs like fennel, anise, coriander and dill may not transplant well, so  you may want to plant these directly into the garden. Most herbs however can be grown from seeds.

Starting a culinary herb garden in your kitchen or home garden is not only worthwhile, but very easy.   Hopefully this article has inspired you, and you are now ready to get started on that home herb garden. Think of all those tasty dishes you will be creating for your family and friends with the freshest herbs available. There is much information to know and understand, and you can find it right here!  Good luck and happy cooking!