Herb culture refers to the herb growing environment. Herbs are adaptable to most climates, and most soil conditions. Avoid areas with wet soil or soil with poor drainage. Herbs grow well in container culture, both indoors and out, so even gardeners without a yard to plant them in can successfully grow them.
How to Grow
Herbs are easy to grow from seed. Some herbs, such as mint, do not come true from seed. Good herbs to start from seed are sage, basil, rosemary and cilantro. Another option is to purchase herb plants or an herb garden kit. Be sure to smell the leaves of the herb plants before you buy them. Some herbs naturally smell stronger than others. Choose the herbs with the strongest smell. Most herbs prefer six hours of sun per day. In extremely hot climates, plant herbs will they will receive afternoon shade.
Annual Herbs
For best results, sow seeds of annual herbs, such as dill and basil, yearly even if seeds drop. This will insure a successful crop. Once dill is established in your garden, it is likely to pop-up all over the place. Butterflies love dill and it is not uncommon to see eggs or caterpillars on dill plants, so plant enough for both you and the butterflies. Basil is a great companion plant for tomatoes, and a main ingredient in pesto.
Perennial Herbs
Perennial herbs, such as sage, thyme and oregano, come back every year, bigger and bushier than the previous year. Tender perennials, such as lemon verbena, cannot withstand frost, but if they are grown indoors or in a frost-free location, they will continue to grow, and be harvestable, year-round. Grow herb plants indoors in a sunny window, or grow them under grow lights to keep them from becoming leggy.
Herb Uses
Two of the main reasons herbs are grown are for culinary use or medicinal use. Some herbs are used to make natural dyes, or for use in craft projects. Some gardeners grow herbs to keep pests out of their garden or even to add a touch of fragrance to the garden or craft projects. Harvest herbs early in the morning as soon as the dew has dried regardless of what you intend to use them for. Hanging them to dry in small bunches is the best way to preserve them. Other preservation methods include drying them in an oven or food dehydrator or putting them in a jar and covering the herbs with vodka or other alcohol to make a tincture. Gardeners who have a still can distill herb plants to make essential oils as well.
Sheri Ann Richerson - Follow Sheri Ann Richerson on Twitter, Facebook, My Space or LinkedIn. Sheri Ann Richerson has been writing professionally since 1981. ...
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