Herbs are a beneficial inclusion to any garden. Besides providing us with ingredients for culinary experimentation and diversity, many are beautiful or have other benefits. Herbs that have a tendency to become weedy may be beneficial in gardens by providing food and choking out unwanted weeds in difficult areas. Thus, reducing the need for chemical herbicides and replacing the tedium of weeding, with the excitement of harvesting. Other herbs have flowers that are not only beautiful to look at, but are also edible treats for your taste buds.
A walk through your garden to collect herbs can turn planning and preparing dinner from a humdrum obligation into a sensual adventure. Once you get hooked on herbs, you may begin to fill every nook and cranny of your garden with herbs, or choose to plant a traditional herb garden, complete with the obligatory sundial.
If you are new to herbs in the garden, here are my suggestions for starter herbs. I have selected these based on their uses and ease of cultivation.
Chives
Chives are the smallest member of the onion family, they are very versatile and hardy. Chives can be used as accent plants in flower gardens. They are attractive in the garden, producing flowers that can not only be eaten, but look interesting too. The flowers can be added to soups, salads, and casseroles, and give a slight onion flavor. However, more people only think of the grass-like stems as an herb. Many people do not think of a baked potato as complete, without the chives.
To harvest, cut the stems about 2 inches above ground level. They may be preserved by freezing rather than by drying which causes them to lose color. Do not cut them up prior to freezing. Plants have a tight clumping nature and can be divided in the spring or fall. If you have a vegetable garden, you can plant them near carrots, as they are said to prevent a fungus from attacking your carrots.
Tarragon
There are two varieties of Tarragon, the Russian variety is often sold in seed packets, and is less aromatic than French Tarragon, which can only be purchased as plants. This is not a particularly attractive plant in your garden, but as it is tall, and tends to be weedy, it can be used to fill in those drier weed prone areas of your yard. It is a plant you can cut back regularly.
Tarragon has a mild anise flavor, and has many uses. It is a wonderful herb to add to lamb, seafood, poultry, soups, and vegetables. An ingredient in many tartar sauces and chutneys, and is most commonly used as a flavoring for vinegars.
Oregano
Oregano has an attractive clumping habit and will spread, as such it works well in rock gardens or to fill trouble areas. I have planted oregano between rocks in a mock dry river bed I created in my garden. Some people remove the flowers to encourage more growth, but I have found this unnecessary.
Oregano will be one of your more utilized herbs. It is popular in Italian and Greek dishes, especially in sauces. In the past Oregano was used as to aid digestion and stimulate appetite, today it is well know as an antioxidant. The leaves may be used, fresh, dried, or may be frozen, it is slightly stronger when dried as opposed to fresh.
Sage
Sage is an evergreen subshrub with many varieties. They require a good sunny location and will reward you with attractive foliage and small flowers. Sage repels carrot flies, cabbage butterflies and ticks, however it may inhibit growth of root production, so is best planted near established plants.
Sage is used commonly used in stuffings and sausages. It can be used in soups, salads, or placed under a roast for before cooking.
Mint
Mints are very popular in the garden, the do have a tendency to spread so should be used in areas where you want cover, or should be thinned regularly. This weedy tendency can become an asset and, when allowed to spread, can reduce boring garden tasks (weeding), or the use of dangerous herbicides (to control weeds). Mint does better in a cooler, moist area, as such it is fine in part shade.
There are many different mints available, each with subtle differences in taste, I suggest planting at least two at first, and plan on adding more when you are ready. Many culinary and medicinal teas are made from the various types of mint, some having unique beneficial properties.
Many mints are said to have ant repellent properties. When you blend mint leaves in a blender and mix with water you create a safe pesticide against aphids and caterpillars. Mint can be frozen or dried for storage.
Your Garden
You will notice that many of the herbs I suggest do spread, you can use this to your advantage rather than fighting it. Allow them to grow in difficult areas where only weeds grow. Share them with your friends or family. The secret to enjoying your garden is to plant things and allow them to grow as naturally as they would, rather than fighting them.
