Growing and Using Herbs
Growing herbs in your garden is not much different than growing your fruits and vegetables. Growing herbs can even be easier than growing fruits and vegetables ins some cases. This is because herbs are often called weeds, and weeds do not need much care to grow hearty on their own. Many seed themselves and take up space depending on the herb, and will help discourage insects in your garden.
The first thing to look at is what herbs to plant and where. Different herbs require different amounts of sun, shade, heat, soil and water. The following are 7 of my favorite herbs that are very easy to grow. This section will cover the growing basics for these herbs. The next section will cover some very basic and simple time-honored traditional and culinary uses of these herbs.
Rosemary - This perennial prefers well drained soil with full sun. It can be propagated from cuttings and of course... started from seed. The best rosemary I have ever seen has been in southern California. I have also seen some good ones here in the Rogue Valley in areas that get more full sun... especially the arid side of our valley here. Rosemary will do well here when well cared for, but it is important to remember that the winters and frost will slightly affect this plant where this is not so much a factor in southern California.
I recommend using rosemary in your landscape to make borders and hedges with. Not large, property dividing hedges of course, but as an outline near a path or to separate one section of your garden from the other.
Rosemary will help draw the bees as well, which is what you want for pollination of plants at your place..
Lavender - This perennial seems to do exceptionally well here in the Rogue Valley. There is no shortage of good lavender here and it grows like crazy... full and abundant without a whole lot of extra care! There are 2 main types of tall growing varieties... the Mitcham and Grey Hedge. These require light, well-drained and full sun. Then there are the dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties that are faster growing and can thrive in poor gravelly soil and still produce excellent fragrance
Another great border plant and hedge. Same as the rosemary... not for making property dividing fences, but best for outlining paths, driveways or separating one section of the garden from the other. I see this quite often.
Lavender will also draw the bees!
Parsley - This biennial must be started from seed. It needs rich well amended and worked soil to be really tasty and healthy. This is one that mixes well into the vegetable garden because the vegetable garden you grow your food in should always be well amended and worked. It can tolerate sun and partial shade. It is recommended to thin plants to at least 8 inches apart.
This is a good herb to intermix with your carrots because it will help as an insecticide against carrot fly.
Oregano - This is a hardy perennial and I see it tends to grow well here in the Rogue Valley. It prefers dry, light soil and full sun. It can be propagated by seed, separating the whole plant and stem cuttings.
There are different varieties, but Italian and Greek are 2 of the best for the kitchen.
Mint - All mints are hardy perennials. They have an underground runner root system, so watch out where you plant mints because they WILL spread and need to be tamed. You can easily take cuttings from this plant because of the runners. They also need rich soil to be at their best both aromatically and culinarily. Some shade is preferable, but will do good in full sun if the soil remains moist.
Garlic - This is planted by single cloves you find in each bulb. I suggest planting at least 6 inches apart and 2 inches deep. Mid fall will be upon us in October and will be an ideal time to plant your garlic as well as early spring. Garlic likes plenty of sun and well drained soil that is rich.
Chicken manure is an excellent addition to your amendments for garlic! Garlic is naturally high in sulfur which is what you get with chicken manure.
It is important to give them plenty of water in dry spells until they begin to ripen. When this comes to pass water should be stopped. When the leaves have turned yellow your bulbs are ready to be lifted. You can tie them up and dry them in the sun.
Using Herbs
Here you will find some simple and basic traditional and culinary use of these herbs to compliment the information about growing these herbs.
Aloe Cactus {aloe vera} - The gel from this plant has been used topically traditionally for thousands of years to help the body relieve sunburn, skin inflammations, skin infections, burns and many other dermatological conditions. This is an excellent plant to have around the house when you need it. I have used it myself many times for sunburns and to help accelerate wound healing from cuts and abrasions.
Lavender {lavandula officinalis} - This one is not used so much in culinary ventures as it is in perfumes and aromatically, being made into essential oils. Traditionally stuffing your pillow with lavender flowers has been used to help sleep. Lavender is a relaxing and sedating type of herb. It helps to calm the senses.
Rosemary {rosmarinum officinalis} - Excellent culinary herb used to flavor dishes. It is well known being used to spice potatoes. How many of you have eaten rosemary potatoes? They are delicious... I highly recommend making them if you have not! Rosemary has also been used traditionally as a tonic for the brain. This is why the Greeks used to wear sprigs of rosemary behind their ears as seen in mythical Greek literature.
Parsley {petroselinum crispum} - This herbs is used traditionally to help support the kidney / bladder system and is also used culinarily to spice dishes. It is most commonly seen as a garnish in restaurants. I like adding a bit to my salads and salad dressings. It goes great with good cucumbers and juicy sweet tomatoes.
Oregano {origanum vulgare} - This herb has been used traditionally to help people with chronic fungal infections and health challenges like candida. It is touted as an excellent anti-bacteria, anti-fungal and anti-viral herb. It also know very well in Italian cuisine, pizza sauces and pizza spices. Many Italian dishes are spiced with Oregano.
Mint {mentha} - This herb has been used traditionally to help with digestion. A cup of peppermint tea is a great addition to a heavy meal or when someone has digestive upsets.
It is also used in the kitchen when making sweets. It is often combined with chocolate and used alone as a flavoring for candies, ice creams and desserts.
Garlic {allium sativum} - Another herb used traditionally to help people with bacterial imbalances in the body. Garlic in particular is known as nature's antibiotic. It kills off the bad guys and works with the good guys just like probiotics do. Whereas pharmaceutical antibiotics kill off the good an bad and leave your body stripped of the healthy bacteria it needs to support a healthy immune system and ward off viruses, bacteria, fungus and yeast.
This herb is very well know in almost every kitchen as well. Also used widely in Italian cuisine and pizzas. Garlic makes an excellent spice when cooked into a meal. This is a great way to have garlic in your food program when you you don't like eating it raw. Raw is the way it is used more traditionally in herbal medicine because it is powerful and more effective when used in this way.
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