Planting Herbs Made Easy
When planting herbs, you can choose from all types including perennials, annuals, biennials. Just like any other type of plant. There are many, many different types of herbs and each one is different. If you are interested in specific types of herbs, you should research the individually to understand the care they needs and how to use them properly. This article should get you started in understanding the general different types of herb plants and what they are typically used for.
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.
